Flood Disaster Declaration Allows Impacted San Diegans to Get Disaster CalFresh Benefits
People impacted by the Jan. 22, 2024 storm flooding may be eligible for the Disaster CalFresh program. The program provides a one-time payment to buy food for themselves and their families.
The County of San Diego received funding for this program from the federal government for people to purchase healthy food through the Disaster CalFresh program.
Due to presidential disaster declaration rules, San Diego County residents affected by the flood have between March 7-15, 2024 to apply. Residents already receiving CalFresh also may be eligible to receive a Disaster CalFresh supplement.
To apply for this one-time payment, you must:
- Live or work in the disaster area during the disaster.
- Buy or plan to buy eligible food.
- Be experiencing challenges due to the disaster.
The County will review applications for:
- Net income, which is the total monthly take-home income after all payroll withholding and any liquid resources.
- Deductions for disaster-related expenses.
- Whether the total net income and deductions for disaster-related expenses are equal or less than the Disaster Gross Income Limit to receive the benefits.
The monthly income limit is based on the number of people in your household and the maximum amount of Disaster CalFresh benefits is outlined in the chart below.
| Household size | Monthly Disaster CalFresh income limit | Maximum CalFresh allotment |
| 1 | $2,085 | $291 |
| 2 | $2,514 | $535 |
| 3 | $2,942 | $766 |
| 4 | $3,380 | $973 |
| 5 | $3,845 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $4,308 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $4,736 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $5,165 | $1,751 |
| 9 | $5,594 | $1,970 |
| 10 | $6,023 | $2,189 |
| Each additional member | Add $429 | Add $219 |
For example, a family of three with a monthly income of $2,942 after deductions for flood expenses would be eligible for a $766 Disaster CalFresh benefit amount.
People impacted by the Jan. 22 flood can apply for these benefits in one of several ways:
- Filling out an application, CF 385 form, and submitting it online at benefitscal.com.
- Calling Access at 866-262-9881.
- Going into any local Family Resource Center to fill out a CF 385 form.
- Going to one of the two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
The one-time benefit will be provided on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.