Sacramento, CA — The state of California is warning that benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — known in the state as CalFresh — may be delayed for millions of recipients if the ongoing federal government shutdown is not resolved.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that unless Congress acts by October 23 to restore funding, the November benefit payments might not be loaded for eligible Californians.
Millions at Risk of Missing Food Benefits
Roughly 5.5 million Californians currently receive CalFresh food-assistance benefits, a rise from about 4.3 million in 2021, as reported by the California Department of Social Services. These payments are entirely federally funded, and they help low-income individuals and families purchase groceries using electronic benefits cards at approved stores.
Why the Delay Could Happen
Because SNAP/CalFresh relies on federal appropriation, the shutdown means that those funds may not be available to reload recipients’ EBT cards in time for the usual November distribution. Officials note that if Congress fails to act by the specified date, payments might be postponed until December or later. The state department has already alerted counties throughout California about the risk and is urging recipients to prepare for potential delays.
Impact on Vulnerable Households
Many of the affected households include children and older adults: about 63.2 percent of CalFresh participants are either minors or elderly.
The average monthly benefit in the state is approximately $189, as per Newsweek. A delay in payments could create significant hardships for families ahead of the holiday-season period, including Thanksgiving, and might increase demand on food banks and charitable assistance networks.
What Comes Next
Governor Newsom’s office says that the longer the federal shutdown persists, the more likely it is that additional federally funded programs may face disruptions. In the meantime, eligible CalFresh recipients are encouraged to monitor announcements from their local counties and plan ahead for potential delays in benefits.
Call for Community Input
If you or someone you know is a CalFresh recipient in California, how are you preparing for the possibility of a delay?
Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — your voice matters in this developing situation.
