A new bill aimed at enhancing support for disaster victims in California is making waves in the Assembly Human Services Committee. Senate Bill 739 seeks to empower the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to ensure timely access to CalFresh benefits for those affected by federally declared disasters.

The bill, which has already garnered bipartisan support in the state senate, addresses a critical gap in disaster response. When calamities strike, families often lose everything, including their homes and access to basic necessities like food. Disaster CalFresh provides a crucial lifeline, offering a month’s worth of benefits on an EBT card to those ineligible for regular CalFresh, potentially amounting to $292 for the month.

Yesenia Jimenez, a senior policy associate with End Child Poverty in California, testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the importance of communication and coordination during disasters. She highlighted that county infrastructures are frequently overwhelmed or damaged, hindering the delivery of essential services. SB 739 aims to rectify this by allowing CDSS to assess a county's ability to provide CalFresh services post-disaster, ensuring families receive the help they need without falling through the cracks.

Committee members expressed their support, with one member recalling firsthand experiences from disaster response efforts in Fresno County. The sentiment was clear: this bill is a vital step toward safeguarding the safety net for vulnerable families during times of crisis. As the committee moves forward, the anticipation builds for the potential impact of SB 739 on disaster relief efforts across California.