One major element of SB 285 is the long overdue simplified CalFresh application for seniors and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the Governor and Legislature's budget compromise did not include funding for simplified CalFresh applications. Despite this small setback, the goal of SB 285 is more important than ever! The
Assembly Human Services Committee needs to hear
that you support making it easier for SSI recipients, seniors, and the working poor to enroll in CalFresh, without unnecessary barriers and red tape. See below for easy-to-follow sample scripts and instructions.
Show your support for improved access to a CalFresh program that works for everyone
.
SB 285 holds the state and counties accountable for improving access to CalFresh, the most powerful tool we have to reduce hunger and poverty in California.
We applaud Senator Wiener's commitment to statewide excellence in CalFresh and his leadership towards a human-centered safety net that truly works for the working poor and seniors struggling with poverty.
Your Support is Needed Today!
1) Reach Out to Members of the Assembly Human Services Committee this Week!
Call and/or email the following Assemblymembers. Prioritize your outreach to Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes, (D-San Bernardino, Grand Terrace), Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee. This should take you just a few minutes.
Please also spend a few minutes contacting your Assemblymember if they are listed below as members of the committee:
Sample script:
Hello. My name is ________. I live in ______, CA. I am calling to ask Assemblymember ______ to support SB 285 which would improve access to CalFresh, our most powerful anti-hunger and anti-poverty program. [choose one or more of the following reasons or tell them your own]
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Californians struggling to make ends meet deserve meaningful access to CalFresh. All counties must allow people to apply for CalFresh by telephone- our current system of making it a local option is simply unfair. The state and counties must improve access to CalFresh for seniors, people with disabilities, and people without reliable transportation or stable housing.
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CalFresh is the most effective safety net program in moving people out of poverty- but CalFresh only works if people can get enrolled. Together, we can do the work to make CalFresh work for everyone, regardless of where they live or their individual circumstances. SB 285 provides a roadmap for success.
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With over 500,000 SSI recipients about to become eligible for CalFresh, now is the time to ensure that all eligible Californians, especially seniors and people with disabilities, can access CalFresh simply and with dignity.
2)
If you didn't get a chance to submit a letter of support for
SB 285
, don't worry, letters are still being accepted!
Please submit a letter of support as soon as possibl
e to the Assembly Human Services Committee. You can
download a sample letter here
or write your own in support of SB 285.
