our ssi market match program
We are proud to offer the SSI Market Match program to local community members who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This program was created in 2016 to meet the immediate food needs of these community members who are not eligible to receive CalFresh EBT benefits. We are pleased to continue to offer increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to the generous support from St. Joseph Health-Humboldt County, Care for the Poor Community Grant in 2019.
Our program was inspired by the SSI Market Match program that was created by Frank Tamborello at Hunger Action LA.
Our program was inspired by the SSI Market Match program that was created by Frank Tamborello at Hunger Action LA.
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why was this program created?
Supplemental Security Income is a safety net program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides a very basic income to low-income seniors (60+), as well as blind or disabled children and adults. SSI is very often the only source of income its recipients have and many still have to rely on the resources at their local food bank to keep food on their table.
Currently there is an extreme unmet need in our local SSI recipient community for increased access to fresh foods. This program intends to create a welcoming environment supportive of making healthy food decisions while forming important relationships with farmers and other community members. NCGA staff have found that SSI recipients often face stigmatization, a shortage of resources, and a lack of feeling like they are part of a larger community. Our market staff have seen the impacts that these realities have made on the emotional and spiritual well-being of these community members in the forms of fear, anxiety, scarcity, and lack of control over their own lives.
With this program, SSI recipients are treated with respect in an environment that is conducive to making new friends and community connections, and most importantly, access to quality produce that can provide a healthy nutritional balance for those who would not be able to afford it otherwise.
Currently there is an extreme unmet need in our local SSI recipient community for increased access to fresh foods. This program intends to create a welcoming environment supportive of making healthy food decisions while forming important relationships with farmers and other community members. NCGA staff have found that SSI recipients often face stigmatization, a shortage of resources, and a lack of feeling like they are part of a larger community. Our market staff have seen the impacts that these realities have made on the emotional and spiritual well-being of these community members in the forms of fear, anxiety, scarcity, and lack of control over their own lives.
With this program, SSI recipients are treated with respect in an environment that is conducive to making new friends and community connections, and most importantly, access to quality produce that can provide a healthy nutritional balance for those who would not be able to afford it otherwise.
Good News!
SSI Recipients can soon Apply for calfresh
Beginning in the Summer of 2019, individuals receiving or authorized to receive SSI/SSP will become eligible for CalFresh, provided all other eligibility criteria are met. Talk to your local Department of Health and Human Services staff, visit the Department of Social Services in person, visit their website, or come talk you your friendly farmers market staff. We are happy to help current SSI recipients make the transition to applying for CalFresh this summer. Once the State begins to distribute CalFresh to SSI recipients (or when our limited funds run out) we will discontinue our SSI Market Match Program since the CalFresh Market Match Program provides greater matching opportunities for customers. Click here to read about our CalFresh Market Match program, available at all of our farmers markets daily.
How Do I Get SSI market match Vouchers?
SSI vouchers are available for community members who currently receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, (but not Social Security Retirement (SS), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or State Disability Insurance(SDI)). Confused about "the S's", click here for a handy chart explaining the various "S" programs.
If you or someone you know is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they are eligible to receive Market Match vouchers that can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as plants and seeds that produce food.
SS, SSDI or SDI benefits do not qualify community members for this program. If you receive either of these benefits, you may be eligible to apply for CalFresh.
To sign up for the program each year, please visit the Market Info Booth with the following- a valid i.d. and proof of your SSI benefits in the form of an awards letter or bank statement showing a recent SSI deposit. Once your benefits have been verified you will be enrolled for the entire season. On all future visits you will only be required to show a valid ID but will not need to show us your proof of benefits a second time.
If you or someone you know is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they are eligible to receive Market Match vouchers that can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as plants and seeds that produce food.
SS, SSDI or SDI benefits do not qualify community members for this program. If you receive either of these benefits, you may be eligible to apply for CalFresh.
To sign up for the program each year, please visit the Market Info Booth with the following- a valid i.d. and proof of your SSI benefits in the form of an awards letter or bank statement showing a recent SSI deposit. Once your benefits have been verified you will be enrolled for the entire season. On all future visits you will only be required to show a valid ID but will not need to show us your proof of benefits a second time.
when are the vouchers available?
AVAILABLE AGAIN STARTING APRIL 6th, 2019! Voucher distribution for 2019 will began in April at the first Arcata Plaza Main Season Market and will be available while supplies last at all participating market sites (see below for a list).
how many vouchers can i RECEIVE?
In 2019, SSI program participants can receive $20 in SSI Market Match vouchers once per month, at your neighborhood farmers market (one farmers' market site of your choosing).
2019 Participating Markets
for Picking Up SSI Vouchers
Starting in April:
Arcata Plaza Farmers’ Market - Arcata- starting in April
Starting in June:
Fortuna Farmers' Market
Old Town Farmers Market, Eureka
Henderson Center Farmers’ Market, Eureka
McKinleyville Farmers Market
Willow Creek Farmers’ Market
Fortuna Farmers' Market
(Not Participating: Eureka Friday Night Market. We will not be giving out vouchers at this market. However, if you already have SSI vouchers in-hand you are welcome to SPEND your vouchers at this market)
Arcata Plaza Farmers’ Market - Arcata- starting in April
Starting in June:
Fortuna Farmers' Market
Old Town Farmers Market, Eureka
Henderson Center Farmers’ Market, Eureka
McKinleyville Farmers Market
Willow Creek Farmers’ Market
Fortuna Farmers' Market
(Not Participating: Eureka Friday Night Market. We will not be giving out vouchers at this market. However, if you already have SSI vouchers in-hand you are welcome to SPEND your vouchers at this market)
funding
This program was made possible in 2018 by generous grants from St. Joseph Health - Humboldt County, Care For the Poor Grant, the McLean Foundation, and the Christine and Jalmer Berg Foundation Grant. The new Friends of the Farmers’ Market campaign will also contribute to this program.
This program will be made possible in 2019 by generous grants from St. Joseph Health - Humboldt County, Care For the Poor Grant.
This program will be made possible in 2019 by generous grants from St. Joseph Health - Humboldt County, Care For the Poor Grant.
