Did anyone actually get the CalFresh emergency supplement this month?
I was checking my EBT balance today and noticed I didn't get any extra benefits this month. My caseworker mentioned something about an emergency supplement for January 2025 because of the winter storm issues, but nothing showed up on my card. I get $437 normally for my family of 3, and that's all that was deposited. Did anyone else get the extra benefits they were talking about? Or was this just another empty promise from the county? I'm trying to budget for groceries and really needed that extra help they mentioned.
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Hugo Kass
There is no CalFresh emergency supplement for January 2025. The emergency allotments ended back in 2023. What your caseworker might have been referring to was the Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh) program that was activated in certain counties affected by the recent storms. But that's a separate application process - you don't automatically get it with regular CalFresh. You would need to apply specifically for D-CalFresh if your county was declared a disaster area, and you have to meet additional eligibility requirements beyond regular CalFresh.
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Simon White
•Ugh, I think my worker got me confused then. I'm in Riverside County and she definitely said something about extra benefits this month. So frustrating how they give wrong information!! Does anyone know if Riverside was on the disaster list?
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Nasira Ibanez
my worker told me the same thing!!! i been waiting allll week checking my balance everyday and nothing extra came. im a single mom with 2 kids and i get $382. was really counting on some extra help this month 😫
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Simon White
•That's exactly what I'm dealing with! Did you try calling them back? I've been trying for 2 days and can't get through.
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Khalil Urso
I work for a community organization that partners with CalFresh, and there's been a lot of confusion about this. The D-CalFresh program was activated, but only in 12 specific counties affected by the winter storms. Even within those counties, you need to show you experienced a qualifying disaster-related expense or income loss. What's happening is that some eligibility workers are confusing regular applicants by mentioning "emergency benefits" when explaining the separate D-CalFresh program. Regular CalFresh recipients don't automatically qualify - you would need to submit a specific D-CalFresh application during the 7-day application period (which varies by county). As of January 15, 2025, the approved counties are: Alameda, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Ventura. If you're not in one of these counties, there's no current disaster supplement available to you.
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Simon White
•Thank you for explaining this clearly! I'm in Riverside which isn't on that list, so I guess my worker was mistaken. So frustrating when they give incorrect information that gets our hopes up. Do you know if they're considering adding more counties to that list?
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Myles Regis
The WHOLE SYSTEM is designed to confuse us!!! They always promise things and then make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually get the help. I've been trying to reach my worker for THREE WEEKS about my recertification and they NEVER answer the phone. Then they'll probably cut my benefits for not completing something they never told me about! They're counting on us giving up because the process is so frustrating.
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Brian Downey
•I was having the same problem trying to reach anyone at the county. Calling and calling just to get disconnected or stuck on hold forever. I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person in less than 20 minutes. They basically call for you and then connect you when they reach someone. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 - it was the only way I could actually talk to someone about my CalFresh case.
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Jacinda Yu
i got something extra but it wasnt a disaster thing it was cuz i reported my rent went up on my sar7 and they gave me more benefits starting this month maybe thats what they meant?? did ur costs change recently
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Hugo Kass
•That's a good point! If you recently reported increased expenses on your SAR7 (like higher rent, childcare costs, or medical expenses), your regular benefit amount could increase. This isn't a special supplement though - it's just a recalculation of your regular benefits based on your updated expenses. Always make sure to report any increases in your household expenses on your SAR7 or at recertification, as these can help qualify you for higher benefit amounts.
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Landon Flounder
My sister in San Diego got the disaster supplement but she had to apply separately for it. They didn't just automatically add it to her regular benefits. She had to show she lost food due to power outages from the storm. Is that what you're talking about?
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Khalil Urso
•Yes, that's exactly what's happening. Your sister applied for D-CalFresh (Disaster CalFresh), which is separate from regular CalFresh. To qualify, applicants need to: 1) live in an approved disaster area county, 2) have experienced a disaster-related expense or income loss, and 3) apply during the specific 7-day application period. It's not automatic - even if you already receive regular CalFresh benefits, you need to submit a separate D-CalFresh application. Additionally, there are different income limits for D-CalFresh compared to regular CalFresh, so some people who don't normally qualify for CalFresh might be eligible for D-CalFresh after a disaster.
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