County leaders Thursday reminded CalFresh recipients that November benefits would not arrive Saturday and asked San Diegans to step up and help their neighbors.
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the nearly 400,000 San Diegans who receive CalFresh benefits will see a delay in payouts. More than 395,000 people in nearly 240,000 households receive CalFresh benefits in San Diego County, based on income. The nearly month-long shutdown means a delay in November benefits for about 42 million Americans, including 5.5 million in California. More than 63% of California's SNAP participants are children or elderly.
"No one should find out at the grocery store that their benefits didn't reload," said San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. "Republicans in Congress' failure to fund the government will mean thousands of San Diego families will have to start thinking about where their next meals will come from.
"We're coordinating with local partners to ensure we are meeting these food insecurity needs — and we're asking our community to step up for one another."
CalFresh is the California version of the federal food assistance program also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as EBT or food stamps. The program is entirely federally funded, but is managed by states and administered by counties.
The length of the delay for November benefits is unknown at this point and depends on the resolution of the shutdown.
"The reality is that mothers, children, veterans and seniors will bear the greatest impact of SNAP delays," said Board Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe. "Together with our federal and community partners, we remain committed to clear communication and decisive action to support residents through this period of uncertainty."