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Receive an update on the status of CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP”) benefits issuance due to the federal government shutdown
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends the Board of Supervisors receive an update on the status of CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP”) benefits issuance due to the federal government shutdown.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
During the third week of October 2025, States received direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pause November benefit issuance for CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP”) due to the federal government shutdown. The California Department of Social Services notified CalFresh recipients of the delay and provided direction to counties to continue CalFresh administrative activities. The Health and Social Services Department, Employment & Eligibility Services Division (E&E), also engaged in extensive community outreach to further raise awareness of the delayed benefit issuance to CalFresh recipients and inform them of alternate food resources available in the community.
On October 31, 2025, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the federal administration to continue funding SNAP benefits and followed up on November 1, 2025, with a written ruling, ordering the federal administration to make full food benefit payments by Monday, November 3 or partial payments by Wednesday, November 5. Federal statements regarding the amount and methodology of issuing partial benefit payments continued through the week until Thursday, November 6 when the Judge ordered the federal administration to fully fund SNAP by November 7, 2025, finding the federal administration’s partial payment proposal did not comply with his original court order. California and other states began the process of issuing full benefits the same day.
The Health and Social Services Department received communication from the California Welfare Directors Association on Friday, November 7 indicating that full benefits were expected to be issued for November 1-10 along with benefits for newly eligible applicants. Late that same day, in response to the federal administration requested stay of the order, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay of Judge McConnell’s ruling. E&E continued to monitor benefit issuance daily and confirmed that by Monday, November 10 full benefits for the month of November 2025 were issued to Solano County recipients.
On November 10, 2025, the County received a letter from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano (Attachment A), in anticipation of a potential pause to December CalFresh benefits.
On Wednesday, November 12, legislation was signed ending the federal government shutdown. While the bill provides for a federal budget only through January 2026, the legislation included a provision to fund the SNAP program through September 2026 and it is anticipated that full CalFresh benefits will be issued as normal starting in December 2025.
As noted in the above discussion, the landscape around available food resources is a quickly changing environment. County staff will continue to monitor the program funding and will provide updates as necessary.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to receive the update; however, the update provides an opportunity to share the status of CalFresh benefits issuance in the County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION