Millions of Californians rely on CalFresh every month to help put food on the table. As the federal government shutdown continues, that access is now at risk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that November benefits will not be issued on time, despite having both the authority and the resources to protect CalFresh benefits and prevent the interruption.
What’s Happening
USDA has indicated that it will not use existing contingency funds to issue November SNAP (CalFresh in California) benefits. These contingency reserves — over $5 billion that Congress specifically set aside for times when regular SNAP funding is interrupted — remain available and could cover much of November’s benefits.
Federal law gives USDA the authority to use these reserves to keep benefits flowing and to transfer funds between nutrition programs when needed. This same authority was used earlier this month to maintain WIC benefits funded through November 30th. USDA can and should take these steps now to protect families from food insecurity.
Without action, more than 5.5 million Californians — including 2.8 million children, one million older adults, and hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities — could lose access to food assistance on November 1.
Without action, more than 5.5 million Californians — including 2.8 million children, one million older adults, and hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities — could lose access to food assistance on November 1.
For Ana, a mother of two in San Diego, those numbers are not abstract. She’s studying at the community college, working part-time between classes, and volunteering at her children’s school — all while keeping food on the table with the help of CalFresh. She says,
“With CalFresh benefits, I can cook for my son good quality meals that keep him healthy, and I can stay focused on finishing school for better job opportunities and a better future for us.”
California’s leaders have moved quickly to help.
Governor Gavin Newsom has authorized $80 million in emergency funding to strengthen food banks and has mobilized the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help distribute food across the state.
At the same time, Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by more than 20 other states, has filed a lawsuit challenging USDA’s decision to suspend benefits, calling it unlawful and harmful to millions of families.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized that USDA has a legal duty to use all available dollars to fund SNAP benefits and prevent hunger for families who rely on them.
What’s at Stake
CalFresh is an essential source of stability and nutrition for families, workers, and older adults in every California community. Any delay or disruption deepens hardship and increases the strain on food banks and local organizations already operating at capacity.
Suspending November SNAP benefits will result in 5.5 million Californians losing critical access to $1.1 billion in food assistance, impacting the health, stability, and economy of our communities.
Ana calls CalFresh, “the program that’s feeding and growing the next generation of engineers, teachers, and astronauts.” For her, it’s not just about groceries — it’s about the chance to keep her family healthy, stable, and moving forward.”
If benefits are delayed, families like Ana’s may face empty shelves and impossible choices: rent or food, medicines or groceries, car payments or dinner for their children.
At Nourish California, we believe food access is a right, not a privilege. Every Californian deserves access to food and opportunities to thrive.
Our Call to Action
We urge USDA to use every available legal and administrative tool to fully fund November CalFresh benefits without interruption.
The agency has the precedent, the funding, and the responsibility to act.
Nourish California stands with our partners, state leaders, and community advocates across the country in calling on the federal government to ensure that every person, in every community, can put food on the table this week and every week.
