Food Assistance For Low-income Seniors, Disabled Doled Out By SCC

SAN JOSE, CA — The county located in one of the most expensive places to live is now providing low-income seniors and people with disabilities with CalFresh food assistance starting June 1, the first time Santa Clara County has offered the program in 40 years.

Those who receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payments (SSI/SSP) will be eligible for the CalFresh program.

About 43,000 elderly and disabled SSI/SSP recipients in Santa Clara County, with about 13,000 of whom likely meeting the requirements to begin receiving CalFresh this summer. Depending on the household income, CalFresh food benefits can range up to $192 per person a month.

For low-income community members who are susceptible to hunger and food insecurity, CalFresh is a critical tool in providing access to good nutrition.

“These changes will directly benefit tens of thousands of low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities in Santa Clara County,” said county Supervisor Cindy Chavez, the board’s Children, Seniors and Families Committee chairwoman. “It is reassuring for them and their families that they will have access to healthier food choices through the CalFresh program. We know that our health is impacted by the food we consume.”

This year, the county's Santa Clara Social Services Agency is utilizing CalFresh Awareness Month as a platform to educate the community about the upcoming changes to the CalFresh program having a profound impact on clients who are recipients of the food assistance program.

The county has proclaimed May as “CalFresh Awareness Month” as part of an annual statewide campaign to increase access to food assistance and promote healthier food choices for low-income individuals and families.

"We are working with the state to reach out to all potentially eligible SSI/SSP recipients, ensuring that they are informed of the CalFresh expansion and how to apply for CalFresh,” said Robert Menicocci, director of the Social Services Agency. “Santa Clara County is one of the most expensive places to live in the nation. We want every eligible individual to receive benefits and have healthy food on their table at every meal.” There are five ways to connect with the Social Services Agency and apply for CalFresh:

1. Online at https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org or https://www.getcalfresh.org
2. By phone at 1-877-962-3633
3. By fax at 408-295-9248
4. By mail at PO Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103
5. In person at any of these SSA locations:

• Assistance Application Center, 1867 Senter Rd., San Jose
• General Assistance Services, 1919 Senter Rd, San Jose
• North County Assistance, 1330 W. Middlefield Road, Mountain View
• Medi-Cal Benefits Assistance, 650 South Bascom Ave., Ste. A, San Jose
• South County Assistance, 379 Tomkins Court, Gilroy

The Social Services Agency and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties co-hosted a Community Convening Session called “Get CalFresh Food and Keep SSI Benefits.” The session targeted local non-profits and community-based organizations that work with SSI/SSP recipients.

Those wanting more information on food assistance may also contact Second Harvest Food Bank’s Food Connection at 800-984-3663.