CalFresh recipients can get benefits for food lost during Riverside County fires

Following the Hawarden and Eagle fires earlier this month, Riverside County households affected by power outages and food loss can now receive replacement benefits for groceries bought with CalFresh funds, the county announced Monday.

Aug. 19 is the deadline to report food losses and request replacement benefits.

Both fires began July 21, fire officials said.

The Eagle Fire east of Corona burned 1,710 acres and was contained July 23, according to Cal Fire. No injuries or damaged buildings were reported.

The Hawarden Fire consumed 527 acres in Riverside and was contained July 25, according to Cal Fire. Two civilians were injured, six buildings were destroyed and seven structures were damaged.

The fires prompted state officials to extend the reporting period for food loss from 10 to 30 days to allow families more time to assess their losses and get needed support, according to the county.

State officials estimated that more than 23,500 CalFresh households in the fire-affected areas whose benefits total about $4.8 million may have lost food purchased with these funds.

“We are dedicated to helping our customers recover their food losses quickly,” Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, said in a statement. “We urge families affected by these fires to contact us before Aug. 19 to apply for replacement benefits.”

CalFresh recipients in Riverside County who lost food because of the fires can report their losses by calling 877-410-8827, visiting a county DPSS office or submitting a report via BenefitsCal.com no later than Aug. 19.

CalFresh is the state’s largest food assistance program. It provides monthly electronic funds for groceries at stores, farmers markets and online retailers such as Amazon, Ralphs and Walmart.