As the Republican shutdown enters its fourth week, millions of Californians will experience losses and delays in food assistance benefits — taking groceries away from children, families, seniors and veterans
- Nick Miller
- Communications Director
- 916-319-2029
- Nick.Miller@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — Trump and Republicans’ reckless government shutdown is putting millions of Californians’ food assistance at risk — threatening to cut off vital benefits that parents, seniors and workers rely on for groceries.
Without federal funding for CalFresh, more than 5.5 million Californians will lose benefits or face delays in receiving CalFresh assistance beginning November 1. And each day the shutdown continues after Thursday, October 23, will result in another day CalFresh benefits are potentially delayed for Californians.
“This is not a drill. Trump’s government shutdown is literally taking food away from our kids,” said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “But when Republicans fail to lead, Assembly Democrats will do everything in our power to help parents and seniors pay for groceries and celebrate the holidays, because it’s our job to fight for programs that put food on the table.”
CalFresh is fully funded by the federal government, and CalFresh beneficiaries may receive notices about delayed or lost benefits beginning this week.
To help mitigate the harms of the Trump shutdown, California is fast-tracking $80 million to local food banks, which was allocated by Democrats in this year’s state budget. Additionally, the California National Guard will be deployed in a non-law enforcement capacity to assist at food banks in anticipation of increased demand.
With the holiday season around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher for families trying to put food on their tables. Trump’s attack on CalFresh benefits will adversely impact children living in poverty, older adults living on fixed incomes and veterans who rely on federal support to pay for groceries. Prices are rising thanks to Trump’s reckless tariffs, and now fresh food will be even further out of reach for so many families. It’s also a blow to small grocery stores that depend on this spending to keep their doors open.
In addition to the more than 5 million Californians who rely on CalFresh, it is estimated that 42 million Americans will lose benefits or experience delays in essential food assistance due to Trump’s shutdown.
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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:
Instagram: @caspeakerrivas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/