San Diego County officials on Tuesday announced that due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the nearly 400,000 San Diegans who receive CalFresh benefits will see a delay in payouts, even if a deal is struck in Washington this week.
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.
The length of the delay for November benefits is unknown at this point and depends on the resolution of the shutdown.
"Because the federal government failed to pass a budget, shutting down operations nationwide, CalFresh benefits will not be reloaded on Nov. 1," San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer said Tuesday. "Governor Newsom has deployed the National Guard and directed additional funding to food banks to help families keep food on the table. The county of San Diego and the state of California are working together to support families through this crisis, and anyone who needs help should call 2-1-1 or visit 211sandiego.org."