CalFresh, formerly known as Food Stamps and known federally as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), provides extra funds to help those who are in need each month to buy groceries.

With a CalFresh electronic “debit” card (known as EBT) you can buy most foods at many food stores and farmers markets.

Several Nevada County Farmers Markets offer a CalFresh matching program called Market Money (or Market Match), where you can double your CalFresh dollars up to a specified dollar amount per market per week. Amount may change from year to year.


Apply for CalFresh

Californians can visit BenefitsCal.com or GetCalFresh.org to apply or call 877-847-3663 (FOOD) to be connected to their local county social service office.

CalFresh is a low income program - the gross income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. However, CalFresh program rules are complex - some income is not countable, and some individuals with income below 200% FPL may not qualify for CalFresh.

If you have a hard time …

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The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides information on how to Replace Lost or Damaged Food using CalFresh and that they lost or had damaged in an emergency such as fire, natural disaster, power outages, etc. A form must be submitted within 10 days of the end of an event, such as a power outage. Sometimes counties extend the deadline beyond 10 days.

To Apply for Replacement Benefits

Complete and submit Replacement or Disaster Supplement Affidavit (CF 303) to apply for CalFresh replacement benefits after disaster.

• In person - Nevada County Department of Social Services suggests that people come in person to a DSS office for most efficient service.
• Online - at BenefitsCal.com
• Forms - https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/forms-brochures
• Fax completed form to 530-265-9860

Forms

• English CF 303 form
• Spanish CF 303 form

Locations

Grass Valley - Brighton Greens
988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
530-265-1340

Nevada City - Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Ave, Suite 120, …

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The American Red Cross Gold Country Region has two chapters:

• Northern California Chapter - serving a vast area of Northern California, including Nevada County
• Sierra-Delta Chapter - serving Placer County and the counties of Yolo, Sacramento, El Dorado, Amador, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Alpine, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne

The American Red Cross California Gold Country Region (including Northern CA and Sierra-Delta chapters) has the following resources available for people affected by wildfires.

Evacuation Points and Shelters

• Find an updated national list of sites here.  

Red Cross Disaster Health Services

• 24-Hour Hotline: 669-444-0776

Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services

• 24-Hour Hotline: 571-535-1661
  
  

Web pages

• Home - http://www.redcross.org
• Evacuation Points and Shelters - http://www.redcross.org/shelter

Finding Loved Ones After A Disaster

When people are in American Red Cross (ARC) care at shelters, ARC observes strict confidentiality, so will not release names of clients.

• Tips for finding loved ones
  

Web pages

• Home - http://www.redcross.org/ca/sacramento
• Tips for Finding Loved Ones - https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html

The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) provides tools and resources for Californians who have been impacted by disasters.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.caloes.ca.gov/

The Contractors State License Board provides public access to construction-related consumer protection tools and guidance through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

Services include:

• Access to contractor license verification and complaint filing
• Tips for hiring and working with contractors
• Guidance on solar installations and owner-builder responsibilities
• Consumer education on mechanics liens, civil judgments, and small claims court
• Information on reporting unlicensed activity and viewing CSLB’s Most Wanted list
• Resources for disaster-related construction issues

Web pages

• Home - https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumer.aspx

The Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program (DDAR) a joint effort with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and PG&E to support people with disabilities and older adults before, during, and after a PSPS event.

The program enables qualified customers who use electrical medical devices to access backup portable batteries through a grant, lease-to-own or the FreedomTech low-interest financial loan program.

Transportation resources, lodging and food options are also provided through an online application process to qualified customers. CFILC administers all aspects of the program.

Web pages

• Home - https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/
• PSPS resources - https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/public-safety-power-shutoffs/

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers these benefits, which are available to workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or businesses or had their work hours reduced due to the ongoing wildfires or other disasters.


Web pages

• Home - https://edd.ca.gov/en
• Disaster Benifits - https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Disaster_Unemployment_Assistance.htm
• About - https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/disaster_related_services.htm

California Department Of Insurance has a Senate Bill 824 (2018) that requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain areas within or adjacent to a fire perimeter after a declared state of emergency is issued by the Governor. https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/MandatoryOneYearMoratoriumNonRenewals.cfm

If you receive a Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal after a declared state of emergency:
If you received a notice of cancellation or non-renewal after the declared state of emergency that relates to the fire associated with your Zip Code, and the reason for the cancellation or non-renewal relates to wildfire risk, you should:

1. Contact your insurance company to seek a reinstatement of the policy.
2. If your insurer refuses, you are encouraged to contact us and file a Request for Assistance at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/index.cfm.

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HandsOn Sacramento provides an online database for connecting volunteers with organizations seeking volunteers.

The Regional Center for Volunteerism-HandsOn Sacramento Disaster Services Program manages and supports volunteers and donations in disaster for four counties: Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo. It serves as the Emergency Volunteer Center in times of disaster - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC.

Below are links to the Disaster and Emergency Services Programs.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC
• Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC)/ Emergency Volunteer Management - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC
• Emergency Volunteer Corps - https://www.handsonsacto.org/opportunity/a0CA000000Cqg8tMAB?id=a0CA000000Cqg8tMAB
• Sacramento Region Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) - https://www.handsonsacto.org/VOAD