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.

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.

ebtEDGE

The ebtEDGE application provides EBT cardholders with increased card/account management tools. It can be downloaded from the app store, or accessed via a web browser.

Web pages

• Home - https://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/
• Human Services Contact Staff - https://www.placer.ca.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=88
• EBT Online - https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ebt-online
• ebtEDGE - www.ebt.ca.gov
• How to request Supplemental Disaster Benefits - www.getcalfresh.org/replace
• Apply for/Access your Public Benefits Online (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalW…

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, …

Replace Lost or Damaged Food

People can request replacement benefits for food that they bought 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.

To Apply for Replacement Benefits

Complete and submit the CF 303 form.

• Online - At BenefitsCal.com the CF 303 form can be downloaded, completed, then uploaded to your account.
  • English CF 303 form
  • Spanish CF 303 form

• By phone - Customers can call Placer County Human Services, and get help completing the form via phone. People can mail in the CF 303 or bring it to one of the Placer County Human Services offices.

Submitting online via BenefitsCal.com will probably be the quickest and easiest because people will not need to wait in queues in the call center or office lobbies.

Locations

Auburn Human Services Office
11434 B Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone 888-385-5160, Fax 530-889-7608

Rocklin Human Service…

The National Weather Service provides definitions for various weather alerts and warnings related to fires, heat, and lake winds to support emergency preparedness and public safety.

Services include:

• Fire Alerts:
  • Red Flag Warning: Issued for weather conditions that may result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours.
  • Fire Weather Watch: Issued when conditions could lead to extreme fire behavior within the next 12–72 hours.
• Heat Alerts:
  • Excessive Heat Watch: Potential for heat index values to exceed hazardous levels within 24–48 hours.
  • Excessive Heat Warning: Expected hazardous heat index values within 12–24 hours.
  • Heat Advisory: Conditions that may cause discomfort or heat-related illnesses within 12–24 hours.
• Lake Wind Advisory: Issued when windy conditions on lakes may be hazardous for recreational activities.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.weather.gov/

• Weather Definitions - https://www.weather.gov/lwx/WarningsDefined

• Ready Nevada County Handbook (English, 2024) - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/D…

The National Disaster Distress Helpline provides free, confidential crisis support to anyone in the United States affected by natural or human-caused disasters. The helpline operates 24/7 with multilingual support and connects callers to trained crisis counselors.

Services include:

• Offering crisis counseling for emotional distress related to disasters such as wildfires, floods, storms, pandemics, and mass violence
• Providing information on common stress responses and how disasters can affect mental health
• Sharing coping tips and mental health resources
• Referring callers to local crisis centers for ongoing support

Support is available in English, Spanish, and other languages, with accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

The American Bar Association provides legal assistance and resources for individuals and families affected by California wildfires.

Resources include:

• Disaster Legal Hotline: Free legal assistance for wildfire survivors.
  • Hotline Number: 415-575-3120
• Legal Aid Resources: Links to national and regional disaster legal aid organizations.
• FEMA Assistance Information: Guidance on applying for FEMA aid and locating Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Pro Bono Legal Support: Connection to volunteer attorneys through the ABA/Paladin National Disaster Pro Bono Portal.

Additional Information:

The hotline provides legal guidance on issues related to insurance claims, housing, employment, FEMA benefits, and more. 

Free legal help is available to people affected by declared disasters, regardless of income.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.americanbar.org/ 
• FEMA California Wildfires - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4610
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers - https://egatew…

Placer Alerts uses Everbridge, a community notification system, to inform residents in Placer, Sacramento, and/or Yolo counties of emergency events and other important public safety information.

Also known as the Regional Mass Notification System, Placer Alerts provides info from Auburn Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Placer County Sheriff's Office, Rocklin Police Department, Roseville Police Department, and the Placer County Office of Emergency Services.

Sign up for Placer Alerts online. You can download the Everbridge mobile app to receive notifications through your smartphone. It also includes a map where you can search for current alerts in your vicinity.

About evacuation zones

• Placer County creates evacuation zones in response to specific incidents to help precisely manage evacuations. There are no established evacuation zones.
• Nevada County has established evacuation zones. Alerts are sent to evacuation zones that are affected by an incident. To find you evacuation zone…

Placer County’s Environmental Health monitors and enforces public health and environmental safety standards throughout Placer County.

Services include:

• Inspections of restaurants, food vendors, grocery stores, and mobile food operations
• Oversight of public swimming pools, spas, and body art facilities
• Regulation of hazardous materials storage and waste disposal at commercial sites
• Permits and inspections for septic systems and water wells
• Supervision of small public water systems
• Response to complaints about sewage leaks, substandard housing, chemical spills, and food poisoning
• Environmental cleanup coordination after wildfires, including hazardous materials advisories and Right of Entry permits for debris or tree removal

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3105/Environmental-Health
• Permits, forms, & fees - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3245/Permits-Forms-Fees
• Complaints & complaint forms
  • Complaints - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3107/Complaints
  • Online complaint for…

Environmental Health provides health and safety oversight for food, water, hazardous materials, and wildfire-related recovery in eastern Placer County.

Services include:

• Inspection of restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, caterers, and community food vendors
• Monitoring of public swimming pools, spas, and body art facilities
• Oversight of landfills, transfer stations, and waste tire storage sites
• Regulation of hazardous materials at gas stations and vehicle repair shops
• Approval of water well and septic system installations
• Coordination of contaminated site cleanup
• Support for small public water systems
• Investigation of complaints involving foodborne illness, sewage exposure, garbage, chemical spills, and substandard housing
• Wildfire recovery support, including hazard advisories and debris removal declarations

Tahoe-area short-term rental nuisance complaints above 5,000 feet elevation are handled through the Host Compliance Hotline or online portal.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.…

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