Did San Bernardino County CalFresh accounts get extra benefits tonight? (May 2025)

i got an extra $320!! thought it was just me. no idea why tho

This is likely the emergency allotment for the wildfire zones. San Bernardino was just added to the disaster declaration last week, so households in affected zip codes are getting supplemental benefits. The amount varies based on household size. If you're in one of the affected areas, you should have gotten a notice in the mail, but they often send those after the benefits are already loaded. Check your BenefitsCal account messages - should have details there.

I got the extra money too but I'm worried about spending it!!! What if they take it back?? Last year they gave me an extra deposit by mistake and then hit me with an overpayment notice 3 months later and I had to pay it ALL back. I'm scared to use it until I know for sure it's mine to keep. Has anyone called the county to verify? I tried but got stuck in the automated system for 45 minutes before giving up.

I work for a community resource center that partners with San Bernardino County. This is definitely the wildfire disaster supplemental nutrition assistance that was approved last week. It's only for zip codes in the affected areas (91759, 92252, 92256, 92267, 92277, 92285, 92311, 92327, 92342, 92356, 92363, 92364, 92398). If you're in one of those zip codes, the money is yours to keep and use. It's one-time assistance and won't affect your regular benefits. You should have received a notice, but as usual, the county is behind on sending those out.

This happens every time with disaster benefits - they load them before sending notices and everyone panics thinking it's a mistake! I went through this same thing with the 2023 flood disaster assistance. If you're worried, you could try calling the county, but good luck getting through to anyone. I spent two hours trying to reach someone last month about my recertification and kept getting disconnected. Total nightmare.

my sister got the extra $ too but she moved from fontana to riverside 3 months ago and somehow still getting san bernardino benefits. she's freaking out that she'll get in trouble now lol

UPDATE: I checked my BenefitsCal messages and there was a notice about the wildfire emergency allotment! It was dated yesterday even though the money came in last night. Says it's a one-time payment for households in the affected areas. So looks like we're good to use it! Thanks everyone for your help figuring this out.

I called my caseworker and finally got through! She confirmed it's disaster assistance and is 100% ours to keep. NOT an error. Anyone in the affected zip codes should have gotten it automatically. If you didn't get it but think you should have, you need to call and request it specifically - mention "wildfire emergency allotment" and they'll check your eligibility. So relieved!