More than 200,000 Cal Fresh recipients in Kern County are once again facing uncertainty as the Trump administration has announced plans to withhold funding unless California and 21 other states provide data on recipients to combat fraud.
Reginald Laws, a CalFresh recipient in Bakersfield, expressed his concerns, saying, “That would be devastating because it’s not enough as it is for the month. If they cut it, I don’t know what I would do.”
Last month, the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) provided nearly 1 million pounds of food in five days to those in need during the government shutdown.
Savannah Oates of CAPK noted, “When we had the government shutdown, we really learned that this community is ready to move and give to the neighbors that are in need.”
The California Department of Social Services confirmed that December benefits are being issued as usual and stated, “California remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable Californians have access to the food support they need to the greatest extent possible.”
Teresa Perez, another Cal Fresh recipient, warned, “People are going to suffer, first of all. I’ve been trying to get a job for the last few years and it’s been hard.”
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The H-R-1 bill, signed into law in July, is expected to reduce eligibility and cut benefits for some recipients by 2026.