Riverside County residents who rely on government assistance for grocery purchases can expect another boost in benefits next week because of the ongoing coronavirus emergency.
According to the county Department of Public Social Services, CalFresh recipients are in line for a sixth supplemental installment — due to arrive Sunday or Monday — coming after increased allotments in April, May, June, July and August.
“Every dollar makes a difference for many families, especially now, and this additional assistance is helping struggling families and seniors keep healthy food on the table,” DPSS Assistant Director for Self-Sufficiency Programs Allison Gonzalez said.
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 in the prior decade. Recipients are supplied with electronic benefits debit cards for use in stores.
There are income limits for applicants, but according to DPSS, anyone is welcome to apply to determine whether they or their family qualifies.
Officials said recipients are temporarily eligible to receive up to $355 in expanded benefits stemming from supplemental federal appropriations.
Since April, just more than 75,000 county households have received a total $68 million in emergency aid, according to DPSS.
Information on how to apply for CalFresh benefits is available at GetCalFresh.org, or by calling DPSS at 877-410-8827.
Another emergency benefit installment is scheduled on Oct. 18.