As detailed in last
week’s Bulletin, the United States Department of Agriculture
indicated that it found a way to continue funding the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/CalFresh through
February during the federal government shutdown. This plan
required states to request an issuance of benefits by January 20.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) responded
quickly to this guidance and worked with counties, the County
Welfare Directors Association, and the appropriate vendors.
Speeding up the issuance of these benefits in a state as large as
California is complex, but CDSS and partners worked together to
ensure this would occur.
On January 14, CDSS announced that February CalFresh nutrition
assistance benefits will be issued early to most clients on
January 16. More information is available in a
CDSS press release and
All County Welfare Directors Letter. At this time, the
federal government has not yet issued guidance regarding March
CalFresh benefits should the federal shutdown continue that long.
