Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 18-051 RECOGNIZING MAY AS CAL FRESH MONTH (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is a federally mandated, state-supervised, and county-operated government entitlement program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. In general, these benefits are for any food or food product intended for human consumption and can add to one’s food budget to put nutritious food on the table. Resolution No. 18-051 is attached for the City Council’s consideration.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 17-015, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING CALFRESH AWAREMENSS MONTH
2. INSTRUCT staff to submit a copy of the executed resolution to Jesus A. Ruiz with the Department of Public Social Services, Communication and Training Division.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
DO NOT support Resolution No. 18-051.
IV. BACKGROUND
The amount of benefits a family can receive is dependent on the family size, countable income, and monthly expenses such as housing, utilities, and so forth. Individuals with no children also may qualify. All U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident children may qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, regardless of where the parents were born. Parents may also qualify for benefits if all other program guidelines are met. The program issues monthly benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. These benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which looks like any other credit card. Applications can take up to 30 days to be processed, so while applicants are waiting for the applications to be reviewed county representatives can refer CalFresh applicants to the phone number 2-1-1 which directs the caller to the nearest food pantry so that they can get food support while they're waiting for their application to get approved. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 150 different languages.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution 18-051 Cal Fresh Awareness month. (pgs. 3-4)
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Prepared by: Lisa Berglund, Assistant to the City Manager