False Alarm on Food Stamps Stirs Anxiety
Some earthquake victims, mistakenly believing that an emergency food stamp program was about to end, crowded some county social services buildings Tuesday, resulting in some pushing and shoving.
No one was hurt or arrested in the incidents.
County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke appealed to applicants to remain calm while waiting in the long lines. She pointed out that earthquake victims have until Feb. 8 to apply for an emergency, one-month allotment of food stamps.
“Many of these people are poor, live on a fixed or limited income and do not have cash on hand to replace the food, which is why the emergency food stamps are being issued,” Burke said.
Applications are being accepted at all Department of Public Social Services offices. Additional information is available at (310) 908-8610.
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