Full Notification

The Lake County Department of Social Services is announcing that Lake County has been approved to provide disaster food assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, has approved Lake County for Disaster CalFresh as a result of the multiple wildfires burning throughout Northern California which began on or after July 23, 2018, including the River and Ranch Fires.

CalFresh households living in zip codes 95458, 95464, 95485, 95493, 95453, 95423, 95451, 95443, and 95435 before the disaster will automatically receive a supplement on their EBT card up to the maximum Disaster CalFresh amount for their household. Other CalFresh households impacted by the disaster can apply for a supplement.

Any individual or family that resided or worked in Lake County before the disaster and was negatively affected by the disaster may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh assistance.

 Disaster CalFresh benefits are provided via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is a debit-like card that can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.

Individuals and families may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh if the household experienced at least one of the following as a direct result of the wildfires:

• Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business;
• Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems; or
• Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.

Eligibility is based on available income, minus disaster-related expenses that are unreimbursed. All financial resources, except cash on hand and bank accounts, will be excluded from the eligibility determination. Most Disaster CalFresh benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.
Household Size         Monthly Income Limit     D-CalFresh Allotment 1                                       $1,700                             $192
2                                       $2,049                             $352
3                                       $2,397                             $504
4                                       $2,755                             $640
5                                       $3,133                             $760
6                                       $3,510                             $913
7                                       $3,858                             $1,009
8                                       $4,207                             $1,153
Each Additional Person  +$349                              +$144

Verification rules are eased during a disaster; however, it is necessary to verify the identity of the applicant. Applicants may provide photo proof of identity, such as a driver's license or other picture ID. If a picture ID is not available, providing items such as utility bills or other similar documents will work. Applicants must also bring some document that verifies their home address or work in the disaster area prior to the disaster (such as utility bills, insurance bills, paystubs, etc.). Disaster CalFresh applicants must have lived in or worked in the disaster area at the time of the wildfires and must have suffered loss or damages as a direct result of the wildfires.

Individuals and families seeking assistance may apply for Disaster CalFresh beginning August 22, 2018 through August 25, 2018 and August 27, 2018 through August 29, 2018. When applying for Disaster CalFresh, applicants must complete a face-to-face interview, as well as provide necessary verifications. 

How to Apply In-Person
Lake County Social Services 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway
Lower Lake, CA 95457
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday,
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday (we will be closed Sunday)

How to Apply Statewide Individuals and families displaced by the wildfires may visit any human or social services agency across the state. Please check local listings for contact information.