California Disaster Nutrition Assistance

Incident: Power Outages

When: Nov. 5, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Nov. 21, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of maintenance work by the local transmission provider that occurred on Nov. 5, 2023. The waiver request applies to the following five zip codes in Trinity County:  96093, 96041, 96052, 96024, and 96048. 
• On Nov. 15, 2023, FNS approved California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to waive to the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to maintenance work by the local transmission provider that occurred on Nov. 5, 2023. The waiver applies to the residents of Trinity County and is in effect through Dec. 4, 2023.

Incident: Wildfires

When: Oct. 30, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Nov. 9, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to the Highland Fire that began on Oct. 30, 2023. The waiver request applies to Riverside County. The waiver is in effect through Nov. 28, 2023.

Incident: Public Safety Power Shut-Off

When: Aug. 30, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Sept. 15, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval as a result of power outages due to a Public Safety Power Shut-Off event that occurred Aug. 30, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2023. The waiver request applies to 8 zip codes in the following 5 counties: Colusa 95979; Glenn 95939; Humboldt 95569; Shasta 96065, 96084, 96047; and Tehama 96029, 96074.

Incident: Wildfires

When: Aug. 18, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Sept. 8, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of wildfires that began on Aug. 18, 2023. The waiver applies to 22 zip codes in the 14 counties of Calaveras, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare and Tuolumne.

Incident: Hurricane Hilary

When: Aug. 20, 2023

Child Nutrition Programs

• On Sept. 1, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request for a waiver relating to the child nutrition program during unanticipated school closures throughout school year 2023-24. Under the waiver approval, the at-risk afterschool component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) may serve meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, allow parent and guardian pick up, and an educational or enrichment activity is not required. FNS expects that flexibilities and exceptions provided will only be implemented by program operators when meal service is limited or negatively impacted due to unanticipated school closures.
• On Aug. 24, 2023, FNS approved a California Department of Social Service (DSS) request for a waiver relating to child nutrition program operations impacted by Hurricane Hilary. Under the waiver approval, California Child Care Food Program (CCFP) institutions and sponsoring organizations, which are part of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), may serve meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, allow parent and guardian meal pick up, and educational or enrichment activity requirements for the at-risk component. The waiver is effective through Sept. 30, 2023, or until participants return to in-person instruction or day care, whichever is earlier and with the expectation that it will only be implemented by program operators when meal service is limited or negatively impacted due to Hurricane Hilary.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Aug. 30, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to Hurricane Hilary that began on Aug. 20, 2023. The waiver request applies to Riverside County. The waiver is in effect through Sept. 19, 2023.

Incident: Wildfires

When: Aug. 15, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Aug. 25, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to wildfires that began on Aug. 18, 2023. The waiver request applies to Del Norte County. The waiver is in effect through Sept.18, 2023.
• On Aug. 24, 2023, FNS approved the California DSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to wildfires that began on Aug. 15, 2023. The waiver request applies to Siskiyou County. The waiver is in effect through Sept. 14, 2023.

Incident: Wildfires

When: July 18, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Aug. 9, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of heatwaves and wildfires that occurred July 18, 2023, through July 21, 2023. The waiver request applies to two zip codes in the following two counties: Fresno: 93622 and Lake: 95426.

Incident: Extreme Heat

When: July 18, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On July 24, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to extreme heat that began on July 18, 2023. The waiver request applies to residents of Lake County and is in effect through Aug. 17, 2023.

Incident: Wildfires

When: July 15, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On July 20, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to severe wildfires that began on July 15, 2023. The waiver request applies to residents of Riverside County and is in effect through Aug. 14, 2023.

Incident: Severe Storms

When: Feb. 14, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On June 21, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in one additional county, San Luis Obispo. This modification to their D-SNAP is in response to the impact of severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides which started on Feb. 21, 2023. Due to these incidents, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration with federal individual assistance for seven counties on April 3, 2023. Amendments were issued to designate five more counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. On June 8, 2023, another amendment was issued to designate San Luis Obispo County as eligible for federal individual assistance. With this modification and extension, a total of 13 counties have been approved to operate D-SNAP. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP for San Luis Obispo County from Monday, July 10, 2023, through Friday, July 14, 2023 for a total of five days.
• On June 16, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation in Humboldt County and allows households to purchase hot foods through June 30, 2023.
• On June 15, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to operate D-SNAP in the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation located in Humboldt County, in response to the impact of severe storms and mudslides beginning on Feb. 14, 2023. Due to these incidents, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration on April 25, 2023, for Humboldt County and this was later amended on May 23, 2023, to include federal individual assistance. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP Tuesday, June 20, 2023, thru Friday, June 23, 2023, and Monday, June 26, 2023, thru Wednesday, June 28, 2023, for a total of seven days.
• On June 12, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to operate D-SNAP in one additional county, Butte. This modification to their D-SNAP is in response to the impact of severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides which started on Feb. 21, 2023. Due to these incidents, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration with federal individual assistance for seven counties on April 3, 2023. Amendments were issued to designate four more counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. On May 25, 2023, another amendment was issued to designate Butte County as eligible for federal individual assistance. With this modification and extension, a total of 12 counties have been approved to operate D-SNAP. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP for Butte County from Tuesday, June 20, 2023, through Friday, June 23, 2023, and Monday, June 26, 2023, for a total of five days.
• On June 2, 2023, FNS approved CDSS request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the following seven counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through June 23, 2023. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On May 10, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to operate D-SNAP in the three additional counties of Madera, Mendocino and Mono. This modification to their D-SNAP is in response to the impact of severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides which started on Feb. 21, 2023. Due to these incidents, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration with federal individual assistance for seven counties on April 3, 2023. On April 14, 2023, an amendment was issued to designate San Bernardino County as eligible for federal individual assistance. On May 2, 2023, an amendment was issued to designate Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. With this modification, a total of 11 counties will operate D-SNAP. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP for these additional counties from Monday, May 15, 2023, through Friday, May 19, 2023.
• On May 8, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver extension, being implemented as a new waiver, applies to the following fifteen (15) counties: Alpine, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Lake, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity and Tuolumne. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through May 31, 2023, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of severe storms. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for the extended sale of hot foods.
• On April 25, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to expand D-SNAP operations to one (1) additional county in response to the impact of the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Feb. 21, 2023. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration and a subsequent amendment designating eight (8) counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. The initial waiver approved on April 12, 2023, included the seven (7) counties of Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne. The state operated the D-SNAP for seven (7) non-consecutive days beginning April 17, 2023, through April 25, 2023. The state agency did not operate D-SNAP on April 22, 2023, or April 23, 2023. This waiver approval expands D-SNAP operations to include all eight (8) designated counties. The state will operate D-SNAP in the newly designated San Bernardino County for specific zip codes (91759, 92305, 92314, 92315, 92321, 92322, 92325, 92333, 92339, 92341, 92352, 92372, 92378, 92382, 92385, 92386, 92391, 92397, 92317, 92399, 92359, 92407, 92404, 92392, 92344 and 92371). The state will operate D-SNAP in these zip codes for seven (7) non-consecutive days beginning May 1, 2023, through May 9, 2023. The state will not operate D-SNAP on May 6, 2023, or May 7, 2023.
• On April 19, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 to add Orange and Riverside counties. The initial waiver approved on April 11, 2023, applies to the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne and Ventura. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through May 2, 2023, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of severe storms. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On April 12, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to operate D-SNAP in seven counties in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Feb. 21, 2023. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration designating Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties as eligible for federal individual assistance on April 3, 2023. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP for seven (7) non-consecutive days beginning April 17, 2023, through April 25, 2023. The state agency will not operate D-SNAP on April 22, 2023, or April 23, 2023.
• On April 11, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the following 23 counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne and Ventura. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through May 2, 2023, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of severe storms. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On March 30, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of severe winter storms that began March 9, 2023, through March 10, 2023. The waiver request applies to six zip codes in Trinity County: 96024, 96041, 96048, 96052, 96091 and 96093.
• On March 28, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages and flooding as a result of severe winter storms that began March 7, 2023. The waiver request applies to 120 zip codes in the following 28 counties: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Lake, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yuba.
• On March 21, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to severe storms that began on March 13, 2023. The waiver request applies to the three counties of Alpine, Orange and Trinity. The waiver is in effect through April 12, 2023.
• On March 20, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to severe storm that began on March 10, 2023. The waiver request applies to the six counties of Calaveras, Del Norte, Glenn, Kings, San Benito and San Joaquin. The waiver is in effect through April 10, 2023.
• On March 15, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of prolonged power outages due to a series of severe storms that began on March 7, 2023. The waiver request applies to the residents of Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lake, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. The waiver is in effect through April 6, 2023.
• On March 9, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of prolonged power outages due to winter storms that began on Feb. 26, 2023. The waiver applies to households in the 13 counties of Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare. The waiver will be in effect through March 30, 2023.
• On March 8, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of prolonged power outages due to winter storms that began on Feb. 23, 2023. The waiver request applies to the residents of Lake, Napa and Tuolumne counties. The wavier is in effect through March 27, 2023.

Past Responses

2022

Incident: Severe Storms

When: Dec. 27, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Feb. 28, 2023, FNS approved California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to expand Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) operations to one (1) additional county in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration and subsequent amendments designating 14 counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 31, 2023, included the nine (9) counties of Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. The state operated the D-SNAP from Feb. 6, 2023, through Feb. 15, 2023, in those counties. The first waiver expansion on Feb. 7 expanded D-SNAP operations to Contra Costa County, Mendocino County, and specific zip codes in Ventura Counties (93022, 93023, 93001), operating in these counties from Feb. 9 through Feb. 15, 2023. The second waiver expansion expanded approval for Alameda County to operate a D-SNAP operation from Feb. 21, 2023, through March 1, 2023. With this modification and extension, the state agency has been approved to operate this D-SNAP in 14 counties. This waiver extension approval for Amador County allows a D-SNAP operation from March 6, 2023, through March 10, 2023.
• On Feb.14, 2023, FNS approved CDSS) request to expand Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) operations to one (1) additional county in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration and subsequent amendments designating 13 counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 31, 2023, included the nine (9) counties of Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. The state will operate the D-SNAP from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2023, in those counties. The first waiver expansion on Feb. 7 expanded D-SNAP operations to Contra Costa County, Mendocino County, and specific zip codes in Ventura Counties (93022, 93023, 93001), operating in these counties from Feb. 9 through Feb. 15, 2023. This waiver expansion approval for Alameda County allows a D-SNAP operation from Feb. 21, 2023, through March 1, 2023.
• On Feb. 7, 2023, FNS approved California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to expand D-SNAP operations to three (3) counties in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration and subsequent amendments designating 13 counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 31, 2023, included the nine (9) counties of Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. The state will operate the D-SNAP from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2023, in those counties. This waiver approval expands D-SNAP operations to Contra Costa County, Mendocino County, and specific zip codes in Ventura Counties (93022, 93023, 93001). The state plans to operate the D-SNAP in these counties from Feb. 9 through Feb. 15, 2023.
• On Feb. 6, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 to add Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Sonoma, Tehama and Trinity counties. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 23 and initial amendment approved Jan. 25, 2023, applies to Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Ventura and Yolo counties. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Feb. 20, 2023, in order to increase access to food after severe storms, power outages and flooding. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Jan. 31, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of severe winter storms that began Jan. 1, 2023, through Jan. 10, 2023. The waiver request applies to 168 zip codes in the following 39 counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.
• On Jan. 31, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to operate D-SNAP in nine (9) counties in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration designating Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties as eligible for federal individual assistance on Jan. 17, 2023. Additional amendments were issued in January to designate Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, Calaveras and San Mateo Counties as eligible for federal individual assistance. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2023.
• On Jan. 27, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 to add San Francisco County. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 23 and initial amendment approved Jan. 25, 2023, applies to Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yolo counties. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Feb. 20, 2023, in order to increase access to food after severe storms, power outages, and flooding. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Jan. 25, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 to add Alpine and Tuolumne counties. The initial waiver approved on Jan. 23, 2023, applies to Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Ventura and Yolo counties. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Feb. 20, 2023, in order to increase access to food after severe storms, power outages, and flooding. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Jan. 23, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Ventura, and Yolo counties. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Feb. 20, 2023, in order to increase access to food after severe storms, power outages, and flooding. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Jan. 17, 2023, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to a severe storm that began on Jan. 7, 2023, through Jan. 12, 2023. The waiver request applies to residents of the State of California. The wavier is in effect through Feb. 7, 2023.

 

Incident: Severe Storm

When: Dec. 31, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Jan. 9, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of prolonged power outages due to a severe storm that began on Dec. 31, 2022. The waiver request applies to the residents of Humboldt and Santa Cruz counties. The wavier is in effect through Jan. 30, 2023.

 

Incident: Earthquake

When: Dec. 20, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Jan. 20, 2023, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages and structural damages as a result of an earthquake that occurred on Dec. 20, 2022. The waiver request applies to 34 zip codes in the following three counties: Humboldt: 95501, 95503, 95511, 95514, 95518, 95519, 95525, 95528, 95536, 95537, 95540, 95542, 95545, 95546, 95547, 95550, 95551, 95553, 95554, 95555, 95556, 95558, 95559, 95560, 95562, 95565, 95569, 95570, 95571 and 95573; Mendocino: 95585 and 95587; and Trinity: 95527 and 95563.
• On Dec. 27, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, severe aftershocks and prolonged power outages. The waiver request applies to the residents of Humboldt County. The wavier is in effect through Jan. 19, 2023.

Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)

• On Dec. 22, 2022, FNS granted approval for the California Department of Education (CDE) request to allow 39 school food authorities (SFAs) in Humboldt County to serve meals in a congregate setting and allow meal pattern flexibility due to a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that caused power outages and damaged critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings (including schools, homes and grocery stores), and water and gas lines throughout the county. This waiver approval is effective Dec. 22, 2022 through Jan. 31, 2023 and allows flexibility to support the offering of nutritious meals on instructional education days while providing non-congregate, meal service time, offer versus serve (OVS), and parent pick up flexibilities to the SFAs in Humboldt County in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Additionally, CDE is requesting an exception, on a case-by-case basis, to the requirement that the 39 SFAs in Humboldt County serve meals that meet all meal pattern requirements through Jan. 31, 2023. This applies to all meals served through the SBP and NSLP, including those served to students in preschool and through the Afterschool Snack Service.

 

Incident: Wildfires

When: Spring 2022

Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)

• On Sept. 26, 2022, FNS approved California Department of Education's (CDE) request to allow 16 school food authorities (SFAs) in Madera and Modoc counties, to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and allow meal pattern flexibility due to the Fork and Barnes wildfires. Under the waiver approval, the 16 school food authorities (SFAs) in Madera and Modoc counties, California may serve National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, allow parent pick up, and senior high schools are not required to use offer versus serve at lunch. Additionally, an exception to meal pattern requirements is available to SFAs on a case-by-case basis, per CDE’s assessment of the impact of the Fork and Barnes wildfires on the SFA. These waivers and exceptions are available through Dec. 31, 2022.
• On Sept. 15, 2022, FNS approved the CDE request to allow 82 school food authorities (SFAs) in El Dorado, Placer and Riverside counties, to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and allow meal pattern flexibility due to the Mosquito and Fairview county wildfires. Under this waiver approval, the 82 school food authorities (SFAs) in El Dorado, Placer, and Riverside counties, California may serve National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, allow parent pick-up, and senior high schools are not required to use offer versus serve at lunch. Additionally, an exception to meal pattern requirements is available to SFAs on a case-by-case basis, per CDE’s assessment of the impact of the Mosquito and Fairview wildfires on the SFA. These waivers and exceptions are available through Dec. 31, 2022.
• On Sept. 14, 2022, FNS approved the CDE request to allow 25 school food authorities (SFAs) in Siskiyou County, California, to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and to allow meal pattern flexibility due to the Siskiyou County wildfires. Under the waiver approval, the 25 SFAs in Siskiyou County, may serve National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, and waive the requirement for senior high schools to use “offer versus serve” at lunch. Additionally, an exception to meal pattern requirements is available to SFAs on a case-by-case basis, per the state’s assessment of the impact of the Siskiyou County wildfires on the SFA. These waivers and exceptions are available through Dec. 31, 2022.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

• On Sept. 14, 2022, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits and emergency allotment benefits (issued on Aug. 21, 2022) that was lost as a result of power outages and the Mosquito Fire that began on Sept. 6, 2022. The waiver applies to the counties of El Dorado and Placer and will be in effect through Oct. 6, 2022.
• On Aug. 3, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and the McKinney Fire that began on July 28, 2022. The waiver applies to Siskiyou County and is in effect through Aug. 29, 2022.
• On July 27, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and the Oak Fire that began on July 22, 2022 and continued through July 25, 2022. The waiver applies to Mariposa County and is in effect through Aug. 22, 2022.
• On July 25, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and the Winding Fire that began on July 18, 2022 and continued through July 20, 2022. The waiver applies to Yuba County and is in effect through Aug. 17, 2022.
• On July 12, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages amid the Electra Fire that began on July 4, 2022 and continued through July 7, 2022. The waiver applies to the counties of Amador and Calaveras and is in effect through Aug. 3, 2022.
• On July 6, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages amid the Rices Fire that began on June 28, 2022 and continued through June 29, 2022. The waiver applies to Nevada County and is in effect through July 28, 2022.
• On July 1, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages amid the Thunder Fire that began on June 22, 2022 and continued through June 24, 2022. The waiver applies Kern County and will be in effect through July 22, 2022.
• On June 21, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and wildfires that began on June 12, 2022 and continued through June 16, 2022. The waiver applies to San Bernardino County and will be in effect through July 18, 2022.
• On June 6, 2022, FNS approved the CDSS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and wildfires that began on May 26, 2022. This waiver applies to Riverside County and allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits. The waiver is in effect through June 27, 2022.

 

2021

Incident: Severe Snow Storms and Power Outages

When: Dec. 26, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Jan. 13, 2022, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Trinity County due to power outages caused by severe winter storms that began on Dec. 26, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and includes November 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Dec. 4 and 11, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Jan. 25, 2022. On Jan. 7, 2022, FNS approved California Department of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits in certain zip codes of 17 counties (Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Mariposa, Mendocino, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yuba) due to power outages caused by record breaking snowfall and heavy winds that began on Dec. 26, 2021. On Jan. 7, 2022, FNS also approved DSS request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in 20 counties (Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sierra and Yuba counties) due to power outages caused by severe winter storms that began on Dec. 26, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and includes November 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Dec. 4 and 11, 2021. The waiver is in effect through Jan. 25, 2022.

 

Incident: Snowstorm

When: Jan. 26, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Feb. 4, 2021, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Shasta County as a result of a large snowstorm that began on Jan. 26, 2021, that caused the closure of vital roads and infrastructure, downed trees, and widespread power outages. This waiver approval allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Feb. 26, 2021.

 

Incident: Mono Wind Event

When: Jan. 18, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On April 6, 2021, FNS approved an extension to allow impacted households in California to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through April 30, 2021 as a result of power outages that began on Jan. 18, 2021. On Jan. 26, 2021, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Mariposa County. This waiver allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Feb. 21, 2021, as a result of the Mono Wind Event that began on Jan. 18, 2021.

• On Aug. 16, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Yuba County. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and July 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Aug. 7, 2021, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and the Glen Fire that began on Aug. 11, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 10, 2021.
• On Aug. 12, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Siskiyou County. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and June 2021 Emergency Allotments as a result of power outages and the River Complex and Antelope Fires that began on July 30, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Aug. 30, 2021.
• On Aug. 9, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Nevada and Placer counties as a result of power outages and the River Fire that began on Aug. 4, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Sept. 3, 2021.
• On Aug. 4, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in El Dorado County. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and July 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Aug. 7, 2021 that were lost as a result of power outages and the Caldor Fire that began on Aug. 14, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 13, 2021.
• On July 29, 2021, FNS has approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Mono County due to power outages and the Tamarack Fire. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and June 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on July 17, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Aug. 23, 2021.
• On July 26, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Lassen County, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost as a result of power outages and the Beckwourth Complex Fire that began on July 12, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 11, 2021.
• On July 22, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Alpine County for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of the power outages that began July 16, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 16, 2021.
• On July 21, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Mariposa County for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of the River Fire that began on July 11, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 10, 2021.
• On July 15, 2021, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Mendocino County as a result of the Broiler Fire that began on July 7, 2021. This waiver approval will allow impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 6, 2021.
• On July 12, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Shasta County for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of wildfires that began on June 30, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of regular SNAP benefits, as well as May 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on June 13, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through July 30, 2021.
• On July 7, 2021, FNS approved a California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Siskiyou County, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of a wildfire that began on June 24, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through July 26, 2021.

 

Incident: Wildfires and Power Outages

Began: June 24, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Sept. 29, 2021, FNS approved California's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Butte, Glenn, Humboldt, Mendocino, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Oct. 28, 2021 to replace food lost as a result of wildfires that began on July 14, 2021, and continue. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved county of the hot foods waiver approval. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods. On Sept. 29, 2021, FNS approved a California Department of Social Services amended request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Shasta County. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits, as well as August 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Sept. 4, 2021, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to the Fawn Fire that began on Sept. 22, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Oct. 22, 2021. On Sept. 24, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' amended request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Riverside County. This waiver approval will allow impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits. The waiver will be in effect through Oct. 1, 2021. On Sept. 20, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services to allow SNAP households in 83 impacted zip codes of 27 counties additional time to seek replacements via the individual attestation process, including in some areas previously approved for a waiver of timely reporting of food loss. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs from Aug. 1, 2021, through Aug. 19, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Oct. 1, 2021. On Sept. 8, 2021, FNS approved California's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Butte, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba. This waiver approval will allow SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Oct. 3, 2021 to replace food lost as a result of multiple wildfires that began on July 14, 2021 and continue. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods waiver approval. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods. On Sept. 5, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Kern County. This waiver approval will allow impacted households to make a request for replacement of regular SNAP benefits, as well as July 2021 Emergency Allotments issued on Aug. 7, 2021, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to the French Fire that began on Aug. 30, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 29, 2021. On Aug. 30, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Riverside County. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and the Westward Fire that began on Aug. 25, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 24, 2021. On Sept. 3, 2021, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in San Bernardino County. This waiver approval will allow impacted households to make a request for replacement of regular SNAP benefits, as well as July 2021 Emergency Allotments that were issued on Aug. 7, 2021, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to the Railroad, Roadside, and South Fires that began on Aug. 25, 2021. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 24, 2021. On Aug. 23, 2021, FNS approved a California Department of Social Services request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Trinity and Shasta counties for food that was lost as a result of the McFarland and Monument fires. For Trinity County, FNS approved the waiver to allow impacted households sufficient time to report food purchased with regular SNAP benefits and subsequently lost. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Sept. 16, 2021. In Shasta County, FNS granted approval to allow impacted households in Shasta County sufficient time to report their loss of food. Replacements would be authorized for the amount of the loss, not to exceed the monthly allotment for the household, as well as the household's July 2021 Emergency Allotments that were issued on Aug. 7, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits and EA benefits through Sept. 16, 2021.

 

Incident: Wildfires

When: July 20, 2021

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (D-SNAP)

On Oct. 8, 2021, FNS approved California's request to operate D-SNAP in six counties -- Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tehama and Trinity -- in response to the impact of wildfires that began on July 20, 2021. The state agency will begin the 7-day application period on Oct. 18, 2021 and continue through Oct. 26, 2021.

 

Incident: Power Outages

When: Oct. 11, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Oct. 22, 2021, FNS approved California Department of Social Services' request to issue mass replacements to impacted SNAP households in certain zip codes in 14 counties as a result of extreme wind and Public Safety Power Shutoffs that began on Oct. 11, 2021.

 

Incident: Severe Storms and Power Outages

Began on Oct. 22, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Nov. 4, 2021, FNS approved California Department of Social Services' request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households in specific zip codes in 15 counties to receive replacement of benefits due to severe storms and Public Safety Power Shutoffs that began on Oct. 22, 2021, through Oct. 28, 2021.

2020

Incident: Mountain View Fire

Began: Nov. 17, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Nov. 25, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Mono County. This waiver allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Dec. 17, 2020, for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of the Mountain View Fire that began on Nov. 17, 2020.

Because many households within these counties have been displaced or have temporarily relocated to other parts of the state, the waiver is extended to the bordering counties of Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Glenn, Marin, Mendocino, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Sutter.

• On Oct. 6, 2020, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver allows households to receive replacement of 40 percent of September benefits in 16 zip codes in 10 counties as a result of wildfires and power outages that began on Sept. 26, 2020.
• On Sept.29, 2020, FNS approved California's request to operate D-SNAP in nine counties in response to the impact of wildfires that began Aug. 14, 2020. For Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties, the application period will begin no earlier than Oct. 14 through Oct. 16, 2020, then resume on Oct. 19 through Oct. 22, 2020. For Butte County, the application period will begin no earlier than Oct. 21through Oct. 23, 2020, then resume on Oct. 26 through Oct. 29, 2020.
• On Sept. 24, FNS approved California's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. for six counties. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits in the approved counties through Oct.22, 2020.
• On Sept. 21, 2020, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver allows households to receive replacement of 50% of September benefits in the 83 zip codes as a result of wildfires and power outages.
• On Sept. 15, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Siskiyou County. This waiver approval allows households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Oct.8, 2020. These replacement SNAP benefits will allow households to replace food lost as a result of power outages and the Slater Fire that began on Sept.8, 2020.
• On Sept. 14, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in seven counties. This waiver approval allows households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Oct. 5, 2020, as a result of power outages and wildfires
• On Sept. 3, 2020, FNS approved California's request to issue SNAP mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of 50 percent of August benefits for 23 zip codes in 12 counties as a result of wildfires and power outages.
• On Aug. 26, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive the timely reporting of food loss in the eight affected counties listed below. This waiver approval allows households to request, by individual affidavit/attestation, replacement of SNAP benefits for food lost as a result of wildfires and power outages that began on Aug. 14, 2020. The waiver applies from Aug. 14, 2020, through Sept. 14, 2020.
  • Impacted counties:
  • Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.
• On Aug. 26, 2020, FNS approved California's hot food waiver request. This waiver allows SNAP households in the eight affected counties listed below to purchase hot foods and hot food products with SNAP benefits through Sept. 23, 2020.
  • Impacted counties:
  • Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.

 

Incident: California Wildfires

Began: Aug. 14, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Oct. 26, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to 35 counties. This waiver allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits in the 35 approved counties through Nov. 22, 2020. On Oct. 6, 2020, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Shasta County. This waiver allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Oct. 26, 2020.

 

Incident: California Wildfires

Began: Sept. 4, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Nov. 5, 2020, FNS approved California's request to operate D-SNAP in the ten counties, listed below, in response to the impact of wildfires that began on Sept. 4, 2020. The application period is Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 through Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.

Impacted counties:
Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, Napa, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Siskiyou and Sonoma counties.

 

Incident: Power Outages

Began: Oct. 14, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Nov. 16, 2020, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements to impacted households as a result of power outages that occurred on Oct.14, 2020. This waiver allows households to receive replacement of 35 percent of SNAP and Emergency Allotment benefits issued in October 2020, in the 174 approved zip codes in 31 counties.

2019

Incident: Wildfire

Began: October 2019

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On Nov. 18, 2019, FNS approved a mass replacement request from the state of California to 104 zip codes in 20 counties. The waiver approval will allow households in these affected zip codes to receive replacement of 15% of the October SNAP benefit. These replacement SNAP benefits will allow households to replace food lost as a result of pro-active de-energization of power lines by Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison that occurred from Oct. 23, 2019 through Oct. 31, 2019. On Nov. 1, 2019, FNS approved a waiver request from the state of California to waive timely reporting of food loss to households for the entire state of California. This waiver approval allows households in the affected areas to request a replacement of SNAP benefits through Nov. 22, 2019, to replace food lost as a result of Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison power outages that began Oct. 23, 2019. On Oct. 21, 2019, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements to 231 zip codes in 28 counties. This waiver approval allows households in these affected zip codes to receive replacement of 60 percent of the October SNAP benefit. These replacement SNAP benefits allow households to replace food lost as a result of pro-active de-energization of power lines by Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison that began on Oct. 9, 2019.

 

Incident: Snow Storms and Subsequent Power Outages

February 2019

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Feb. 25, 2019, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss to households in Shasta County and will allow households in the affected county to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through March 14, 2019. These replacement benefits will allow households to replace food lost due to power outages resulting from the snow storms. FNS also approved California's request to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits for residents in impacted zip codes in Shasta County that suffered food losses resulting from power outages caused by the snow storms that began on Feb. 12, 2019.

 

Incident: California Storms and Subsequent Power Outages

February 2019

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On March 4, 2019, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss to households in the counties of Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino. This waiver approval will allow households in these affected counties to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through March 26, 2019. These replacement benefits will allow households to replace food lost due to heavy rainfall and flooding resulting from storms that began on Feb. 25, 2019.

 

Incident: California Earthquake

July 2019

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP)

On July 9 and July 11, 2019, FNS approved California's requests to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Kern County and San Bernardino counties; this waiver approval will allow households in Kern and San Bernardino County to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 5, 2019. These replacement SNAP benefits will allow households to replace food lost due to power outages caused by earthquakes and aftershocks that began on July 4, 2019.

 

Incident: California Earthquake

July 2019

Child Nutrition Programs

On Aug. 1, 2019, FNS issued a letter approving a request for two school districts in Kern and San Bernardino Counties, California impacted by two major earthquakes. Trona Joint Unified School District and Sierra Sands Unified School District may serve lunches and breakfasts for reimbursement that do not meet the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal patterns through Sept. 30, 2019. The state agency reported that the earthquakes have damaged numerous schools, homes, commercial structures, and roadways. This approval is expected to help Trona Joint Unified School District and Sierra Sands Unified School District overcome barriers to standard Program operations as the districts recover from the earthquakes. On July 12, 2019, FNS approved the California Department of Education's (CDE) request for flexibility in meal pattern requirements for SFA operating the Seamless Summer Option in communities affected by earthquakes in Kern and San Bernardino Counties on July 4 and 5, 2019. This approval allows affected schools to serve meals that do not meet the NSLP meal pattern, through Aug. 5, 2019.

 

Incident: Kincade Wildfire

Began: October 2019

Child Nutrition Programs

On Nov. 1, 2019, FNS approved the request for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal pattern flexibility in the 38 school food authorities (SFAs) in Sonoma County and six SFAs in Lake County impacted by the Kincade fire effective Oct. 23, 1019 through Nov. 25, 2019.

Child Nutrition Programs

On Oct. 30, 2019, FNS approved a request from California for SFAs impacted by the public safety power outages. The California Department of Education made this request on behalf of SFA in 45 counties. The state agency reported that schools in the affected counties are experiencing spoiled food inventory, making compliance with the school meal pattern requirements difficult. Schools in the affected counties may serve and claim for reimbursement school lunch and breakfast meals that do not meet the meal pattern requirements, through Nov. 12, 2019.

2018

Incident: Camp, Hill, and Woolsey Fires

November 2018

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

On Nov. 29, 2018, FNS approved California's request to operate a D-SNAP in Butte County starting on Dec. 12. Look for specific information regarding D-SNAP eligibility and operations on state web pages or call the state's SNAP hotline.

• SNAP Hotline: 877-847-3663
• Disaster CalFresh
• If you need assistance with or a replacement of your EBT card, please call the state's EBT customer service number at: 877-328-9677

On Nov. 28, 2018, FNS approved California's request to operate a D-SNAP in certain zip codes Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting on Dec. 3. Look for specific information regarding D-SNAP eligibility and operations on state web pages or call the state's SNAP hotline.

• SNAP Hotline: 877-847-3663
• Disaster CalFresh
• If you need assistance with or a replacement of your EBT card, please call the state's EBT customer service number at: 877-328-9677

 

Incident: Wildfires and Mudslides

Began Dec. 4, 2017 and Jan. 9, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Feb. 8, 2018, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' (CDSS) request to operate a D-SNAP in 11 zip codes within Los Angeles and San Diego counties due to the impact of multiple wildfires in December 2017. The approved zip codes were: 91342, 91040, 91042, 91355, 91381, 91384 and 90077 (Los Angeles County) and 92028, 92003, 92084 and 92057 (San Diego County). CDSS accepted D-SNAP applications in Los Angeles County for 7 non-consecutive days, beginning Feb. 13 through Feb. 16, 2018, then resumed on Feb. 20, and ended on Feb. 22, 2018. CDSS accepted D-SNAP applications in San Diego County for 5 days, beginning Feb. 12, through Feb. 16, 2018. The state agency may have automatically issued a 1-month disaster supplement to all ongoing SNAP households in the 11 approved zip codes. Ongoing households that lived or worked outside of these 11 zip codes may have requested disaster supplements on an individual basis via a signed affidavit attesting to their disaster losses. Ongoing SNAP households already receiving the maximum monthly SNAP allotment for their household size were not eligible for disaster supplements. No household may receive more than the maximum monthly allotment for their household size. On Feb. 1, 2018, FNS approved a waiver so that affected SNAP recipients in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties were able to buy hot foods and hot food products with their SNAP benefits through Feb. 28, 2018. On Feb. 1, 2018, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' (CDSS) request to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties due to the combined impact of multiple wildfires in December 2017 and mudslides in January 2018. CDSS accepted D-SNAP applications in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for 7 non-consecutive days, beginning Feb. 6 through Feb. 9, then resumed on Feb. 12, and ended on Feb. 14, 2018. CDSS accepts applications at 7 CDSS offices in the approved counties. The state agency may have automatically issued a 1-month disaster supplement to all ongoing SNAP households in the following 20 zip codes that experienced either a power outage of more than 4 hours, mandatory evacuations, or both:

• Santa Barbara: 93102, 93105, 93108, 93110, 93111, 93067, 93103 93117
• Ventura: 93001, 93003, 93004, 93012, 93013, 93015, 93022, 93023, 93033, 93035, 93041 and 93060

Because ongoing households may have been impacted in December, January, or both months, the state determined the amount of the supplement based on the household's size and composition in the earliest month it was affected. Ongoing households that lived or worked outside of these zip codes may have requested disaster supplements on an individual basis via a signed affidavit attesting to their disaster losses. Ongoing SNAP households already receiving the maximum monthly SNAP allotment for their household size were not eligible for disaster supplements. No household may receive more than the maximum monthly allotment for their household size. On Dec. 21, 2017, FNS approved California's request to issue SNAP mass replacement benefits for certain zip codes in Ventura County. This waiver approval allowed the California Department of Social Services to automatically replace 60 percent of the December 2017 SNAP benefit for households affected by the wildfires in the following zip codes in Ventura County: 93001, 93004, 93012, 93022, 93033, 93035 and 93041. These replacement benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the fires. On Dec. 22, 2017, FNS approved an amendment to California's request for mass replacement of SNAP benefits at 60 percent, in San Diego County, for the following zip codes: 91905, 91916, 91963, 91980, 92036, 92066, 92070 and 92086. On Dec. 10 and 13, 2017, respectively, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' (DSS) requests to waive the 10-day reporting requirement under SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 274.6(a) for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was destroyed due to power outages or structural damage/loss of homes resulting from the California Wildfires that began on Dec. 4, 2017. The waiver applied to all of Ventura County and the impacted zip codes in Santa Barbara County: 93013, 93067, 93101, 93105, 93106, 93108, 93109, 93110, 93111, 93117, and 93436; Los Angeles County: 90077, 91020, 91040, 91046, 91202, 91203 , 91205, 91206, 91208, 91209, 91214,91221, 91331, 91342, 91355, 91392 and 91393; and San Diego County: 91901, 91905, 91906, 91916, 91917, 91931, 91934, 91935, 91948, 91962, 91963, 91980, 92003, 92026, 92027, 92028, 92036, 92054, 92056, 92057, 92058, 92059, 92060, 92061, 92065, 92066, 92069, 92070, 92082, 92083, 92084 and 92086. The waiver extended the time period for reporting loss of food until Jan. 4, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the fires.

 

Incident: Pawnee Wildfire

Began June 23, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On June 29, 2018, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Lake County, California. This waiver approval allowed households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through July 23, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the Pawnee Fire.

 

Incident: Klamathon Wildfire

Began July 5, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On July 13, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Siskiyou County, California. This waiver approval allowed households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 6, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the Klamathon Fire.

Incident: Ferguson Wildfire

Began July 13, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On July 25, 2018, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Mariposa County. This waiver approval allowed households to request replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 13, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allow households to replace food lost as a result of the Ferguson Fire.

 

Incident: Mendocino Complex Wildfire

Began July 27, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On July 31, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Mendocino and Lake Counties. This waiver approval allowed households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 26, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the River and Ranch Fires. On Aug. 10, 2018, FNS approved the California request for automatic mass replacements in Lake and Mendocino Counties. This waiver approval will allow households to receive replacement benefits without having to appear at a local SNAP office to sign an affidavit attesting to food loss, and will allow local DSS offices to operate the program in a more efficient and effective manner. This waiver applies to the following zip codes:

• Lake County: 95458, 95464, 95485 and 95493;
• Mendocino County: 95410, 95415, 95420, 95427, 95432, 95437, 95456, 95459, 95460, 95463, 95466, 95469, 95470, 95482, 95488, 95490 and 95494.

On Aug. 20, 2018, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to operate D-SNAP in Lake County. The state agency accepted D-SNAP applications from Aug. 22 through Aug. 25, 2018, and will continue to accept applications from Aug. 27 through Aug. 29, 2018. FNS also approved automatic supplements for ongoing SNAP households in zip codes: 95458, 95464, 95485, 95493, 95453, 95423, 95451, 95443, and 95435. On Aug. 20, 2018, FNS approved an amended hot foods waiver so that affected SNAP households in Colusa, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Yolo counties are able to buy hot foods and hot food products with their SNAP benefits through Sept. 16, 2018.

 

Incident: Cranston Fire

Began July 25, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Aug. 6, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Riverside County. This waiver approval allowed households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 23, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the Cranston Fire. On Aug. 13, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements for certain zip codes in Riverside County. This waiver approval will allow the California Department of Social Services to automatically replace 30 percent of the July 2018 SNAP benefit for households affected by the Cranston Fire in the following zip codes: 92536, 92539 and 92561.

Child Nutrition Programs

On Aug. 10, FNS approved California's request for disaster waivers to assist schools impacted by the Carr Fire. These waivers apply to schools that operate the school lunch and school breakfast programs in Shasta County.
-- Schools in Shasta County may serve and claim all school lunch and school breakfast meals at the Free Reimbursement Rate, effective Aug. 13 through Sept. 30, 2018.
-- Schools in Shasta County may serve school lunch and school breakfast meals that do not meet the menu planning or meal pattern requirements, effective Aug. 13 through Sept. 30, 2018. California also has the discretion to execute the following flexibilities in Shasta County: Flexibility to allow organizations with current agreements to operate the Summer Food Service Program to open emergency feeding sites, Flexibility to allow Summer Food Service Program sites to be located at school sites during school closure, and Flexibility to designate any appropriate facility as an emergency shelter and waive Child and Adult Care Food Program application requirements.

 

Incident: Carr Wildfire

Began July 23, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On July 28, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Shasta County. This waiver approval allowed households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Aug. 21, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits allowed households to replace food lost as a result of the Carr Fire. On Aug. 8, FNS approved California's request for timely household reporting of food loss for Trinity County. This waiver approval will allow households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Sept. 5, 2018. These replacement SNAP benefits will allow households to replace food lost as a result of the Carr Fire. On Aug. 10, 2018, FNS approved the California request for automatic mass replacements in Shasta County. This waiver approval will allow households to receive replacement benefits without having to appear at a local SNAP office to sign an affidavit attesting to food loss, and will allow local DSS offices to operate the program in a more efficient and effective manner. This waiver applies to the following zip codes: 96033, 96047 and 96087. On Aug. 15, 2018, FNS approved the California Department of Social Services' request to operate D-SNAP in Shasta County due to the impacts of the ongoing Carr Fire. The state agency accepted D-SNAP applications from Aug. 22 through Aug. 25, 2018, and will continue to accept application from Aug. 27 through Aug. 29, 2018. FNS also approved automatic supplements for ongoing SNAP households in zip codes 96001, 96003, 96019, 96079, 96089, 96033, 96087, 96047 and 96095. On Aug. 16, 2018 FNS approved California's request to allow for hot foods to be purchased at SNAP authorized retailers. Due to the power outages, displacement from homes and structure loss caused by the Carr Fire, FNS has approved a waiver so that affected SNAP households in Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties are able to buy hot foods and hot food products with their SNAP benefits through Sept. 16, 2018.

 

Incident: Wildfire

Oct. 14, 2018

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Oct. 24, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits for residents that suffered food losses resulting from power outages, which occurred when power was proactively shut down due to extreme fire conditions. This approval applies to the following impacted zip codes:

• Amador County: 95601, 95666, 95689, 95665 and 95629
• Butte County: 95914
• Calaveras County: 95257, 95255, 95232 and 95248
• El Dorado County: 95636, 95634, 95726, 95684, 95633, 95720, 95635 and 95667
• Lake County: 95426, 95461, 95467 and 95423
• Lake County: 95426, 95461, 95467 and 95423
• Napa County: 94508, 94567, 94576 and 94515
• Placer County: 95631, 95714, 95717 and 95701
• Yuba County: 95962, 95935 and 95919

California intends to issue replacement benefits as early as Oct. 25, 2018.

Child Nutrition Programs

On Dec. 20, 2018, FNS approved California's request to extend disaster waivers for Paradise Unified School District. Paradise Unified School District may continue to serve and claim for reimbursement for school lunch and breakfast meals that do not meet the meal pattern requirements through March 1, 2019. Paradise Unified School District may also continue to serve all school lunch and breakfast meals to students at no cost and claim meals at the free reimbursement rate through March 1, 2019. On Nov. 30, 2018, FNS issued a disaster approval for Butte County in response to the Camp Fire. Schools in Butte County may serve and claim for reimbursement school lunch and breakfast meals that do not meet the meal pattern requirements through Dec. 31, 2018. Schools in Butte County may also serve all school lunch and breakfast meals to students at no cost and claim meals at the free reimbursement rate through Dec. 31, 2018.

Disaster Household Distribution Program (DHD)

On Nov. 21, 2018, FNS approved a request from California to operate a Disaster Household Distribution Program in Butte County and surrounding areas (Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, Tehama, Shasta, Sutter and Yuba Counties). The program is expected to serve up to 8,000 people with food boxes beginning Nov. 26 and operating for approximately two weeks.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Dec. 18, 2018, FNS approved California's extension request to allow hot foods to be purchased at SNAP authorized retailers through Jan. 16, 2019. The waiver applies to the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba. On Nov. 29, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue automatic disaster supplements to ongoing SNAP households in the following zip codes in Butte County: 95916, 95928, 95942, 95954, 95965, 95966, 95969 and 95978. On Nov. 28, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue automatic disaster supplements to ongoing SNAP households in the following zip codes:

• Los Angeles: 90263, 90290, 90265, 91302, 90264, 91012, 91301, 91304, 91307, 91361, 91362 and 91372;
• Ventura: 91377, 91320, 91361, 91362, 93012, 93042 and 93065.

On Nov. 21, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits for residents in the following impacted zip codes:

• Ventura County: 91377
• Los Angeles County: 90263, 90290, 90265 and 91302

On Nov. 19, 2018, FNS approved California's request to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits for residents that suffered food losses due to power outages caused by the Camp Fire and pro-active de-energization of power lines by the local utility. This approval applies to the following impacted zip codes:

• Butte County: 95978, 95942, 95954 and 95969
• Plumas County: 95923, 95984, 95956, 95983, 96137, 95947, 95971, 95934 and 95915

On Nov. 16, 2018, FNS approved California's request to allow; hot foods to be purchased at SNAP authorized retailers through Dec. 17, 2018. The waiver applies to the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Plumas, Tehama, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Sutter, Yuba and Ventura.

• Hot Foods Notice to Retailers
• Retailers may need 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for the sale of hot foods

On Nov. 16, 2018, FNS approved California's request to waive timely reporting of food loss to households in the counties of Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles. This waiver approval will allow households in these affected counties to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Dec. 10, 2018.

California Department of Social Service's CalFresh Website

If you think you may be eligible for disaster food assistance in your state, please contact your local state office.