California SNAP recipients could miss out on November payments in the short term as the federal government shutdown continues.

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that the government shutdown will likely delay food benefits for millions of Californians who use CalFresh cards for food.

If Congress does not reopen the federal government by October 23, or take action to fund the benefits, CalFresh benefits would likely be delayed until November.

Why It Matters

Roughly 5.5 million Californians rely on CalFresh, which is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This is up from 4.3 million who were on the benefits in 2021, according to the California Department of Social Services.

The payments help low-income individuals and families pay for food at their local grocery stores, with an EBT card they can use on qualifying items.

Newsweek reached out to the California Department of Social Services for comment via email.

What To Know

The California Department of Social Services has begun notifying counties across the state about the possible delayed SNAP benefits.

“SNAP recipients in California and around the country need to know that SNAP may not be available for November or December if the government shutdown is not resolved,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.  “This means, the EBT cards will not be reloaded for California recipients if the shutdown extends beyond this week.”

SNAP payments are 100 percent federally funded and serve around 5.5 million Californians. That number is up from recent years as it was roughly 4.3 million in 2021.

The delay in benefits could make getting food more difficult for families as they get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday and could add further strain on food banks.

In California, approximately 63.2 percent of SNAP participants are children or elderly.  For recipients, the average monthly household benefit is $189.

What People Are Saying

Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement: “Trump’s failure to open the federal government is now endangering people’s lives and making basic needs like food more expensive — just as the holidays arrive. It is long past time for Republicans in Congress to grow a spine, stand up to Trump, and deliver for the American people.”

Thompson told Newsweek: “The administration has made it clear that certain Democratic-led programs could be targeted in this shutdown, and CalFresh appears to be one of them. That means EBT cards may not be reloaded for November, since this program is fully funded by the federal government. Over 5.5 million Californians rely on CalFresh, so fewer benefits would mean less food on the table, especially as we head into the holiday season.”

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “When the federal government shuts down, Americans get a more realistic view of just how many programs perceived to be state funded are actually covered mostly or entirely by federal dollars. California’s SNAP program is primarily funded with federal funds, and if we don’t see the government reopen prior to November 1, those benefits for millions of Californians will be paused. California won’t be unique from many other states, though, that rely on federal funding for their supplemental nutrition programs. The discontinuation of SNAP, even if momentary, will hopefully be a catalyst for Congress working out a funding deal sooner rather than later.”

What Happens Next

The longer the government shutdown takes to resolve, the more likely additional programs could be impacted and delayed, according to Newsom’s office.

“It’s likely to happen, particularly if the federal government doesn’t step in to retroactively issue those benefits,” Thompson said. “While they typically would, the timing of when the government reopens will determine when, or if, those payments are made to recipients.”