Riverside County residents who rely on government assistance for grocery purchases can expect another boost in benefits this week because of the coronavirus emergency, officials said Thursday.
According to the county Department of Public Social Services, CalFresh recipients are in line for a fifth supplemental installment — due to arrive over the next four days — coming after increased allotments in April, May, June and July.
“Customers received, on average, an extra $182 in July,” DPSS Assistant Director for Self-Sufficiency Programs Allison Gonzalez said. “These extra dollars are vital to help struggling families and seniors keep healthy food on the table.”
CalFresh is a state-administered program that’s federally supported through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which replaced food stamps. Recipients are supplied with electronic benefits debit cards for use in stores.
There are income limits for applicants, but Gonzalez said anyone is welcome to apply to determine whether they or their family qualifies.
DPSS officials said recipients are temporarily eligible to receive up to $355 in expanded benefits stemming from supplemental federal appropriations available due to the pandemic.
Since April, about 75,000 county households have received a total $55 million in emergency aid, according to DPSS. Another emergency benefit installment is scheduled on Sept. 19.
Information on how to apply for CalFresh benefits is available at GetCalFresh.org or by calling DPSS at 877-410-8827.