San Diego City Wire

San Diego County News Center reports that more than 12,800 applications were approved, and over $5.7 million in benefits were provided to people and families affected by the Jan. 21-23 flooding in San Diego County. The Disaster CalFresh program was activated to assist those impacted by the disaster following a presidential declaration.

The article mentions that eligible households were able to use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards to purchase hot and prepared food until April 10, 2024. This temporary change in purchasing options was made possible by the approval of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for San Diego County.

In light of the unprecedented need, San Diego County News Center highlights that the traditional CalFresh enrollment numbers have reached a record high, with over 389,400 individuals enrolled as of March 1, 2024, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the previous year.

The FNS has taken steps to notify authorized EBT retailers in San Diego County about the waiver, encouraging them to inform customers of the temporary modification. The program's success in providing crucial support to those affected by the flooding underscores the importance of such initiatives during times of crisis.