SPANISH VERSION
VIETNAMESE VERSION
San Rafael, CA – The 35-day federal government shutdown earlier this winter still is affecting people who regularly receive food assistance, but the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is assuring there are no gaps in local coverage.
Marin HHS wants to make sure everyone, regardless of financial means, has access to healthy foods.Marin HHS plans to issue benefits to many of those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often called the CalFresh program, on Friday, March 1. Typically, CalFresh benefits are issued over the first 10 days of any month, but the March benefit will be a single-day event. April benefits are expected to be issued in the typical 10-day method.
CalFresh 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. Marin residents receiving CalFresh assistance must file a periodic report before being approved for ongoing benefits.
CalFresh is one of the most effective programs to fight food insecurity among families, children, and seniors. Of the 10,000 people qualified to receive the assistance locally, Marin HHS estimates that more than 4,000 are children and 1,400 are seniors. Nationwide, almost 39 million Americans receive federal supplemental assistance benefits, and nearly two-thirds are children, seniors, or people with a disability.
The United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees CalFresh, is one of nine federal departments that went without funding between December 22 and January 25. Marin HHS issued most CalFresh benefits for February between January 16 and January 20 to reduce food stress on needy households.
Marin HHS has worked closely with state and federal partners to ensure all CalFresh recipients receive benefits without disruption. There is more information about the Marin County CalFresh program on www.marinhhs.org or by calling 1-877-410-8817. Marin HHS will update current and eligible clients if new information becomes available.