Update: The Hot Food Waiver has been extended to March 10, 2025.
CalFresh recipients can use their benefits to buy hot, prepared food at authorized retailers through February 8, 2025, thanks to a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) requested the waiver to help residents impacted by the recent fires. The hot food waiver applies to seven counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside and San DIego
All Orange County households and individuals receiving CalFresh benefits are eligible to buy hot, prepared food with their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at authorized retailers. A list is available here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator. Hot foods purchased during this period will not be subject to sales tax.
For more information on CalFresh’s disaster response, visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/disaster-calfresh.
To apply for or check on cases for CalFresh, Medi-Cal CalWORKs or General Relief, visit BenefitsCal.com or call 800-281-9799.
