EN ESPAÑOL: Se expedirán anticipadamente los Beneficios CalFresh para febrero de 2019
San Rafael, CA – In response to the federal government shutdown, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will issue food benefits for February between January 16 and January 20 for most continuing clients following guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
There are about 10,000 Marin residents who receive support from the federally funded CalFresh program.
The
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the CalFresh program that provides qualified applicants with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that may be used like a debit card in participating grocery stores to supplement food purchases. There are about 10,000 Marin residents receiving CalFresh assistance, and each must file a periodic report before being approved for ongoing benefits.
The following clients will receive their benefits early:
- CalFresh households that do not have a SAR 7 periodic report or recertification due in January;
- those who are in the first four months of Transitional CalFresh (TCF), and;
- those who have completed a periodic report or recertification and had them fully processed by January 15.
The following clients will not receive their benefits early but receive them in February if federal reserve funds are available:
- CalFresh households that are required to recertify eligibility in the month of January and complete recertification after January 15, and;
- Individuals and families who apply for benefits after January 15.
For clients who are receiving benefits early, it is recommended to plan a food budget accordingly to last through the end of February. All normal business operations including the EBT system remain the same.
The USDA is one of nine federal departments without funding since the U.S. Government shut down December 22. Almost 39 million Americans receive federal supplemental assistance benefits. Nearly two-thirds of participants in the program are children, elderly, or people with a disability, according to USDA.
Marin HHS has been working closely with state and federal partners to ensure all CalFresh recipients receive benefits without disruption. The USDA has stated that other major nutrition programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and food banks will have sufficient funding to continue operations through February.
There is more information about the Marin County CalFresh program on www.marinhhs.org or by calling 1-877-410-8817.
Marin HHS will continue to update current and eligible clients if new information becomes available.