November CalFresh Benefits (California’s SNAP benefits) will be impacted due to the Federal Government Shutdown.

Millions of children will lose all or some of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November, which total about $8 billion. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its shutdown contingency plan initially planned to tap $5-6 billion in multi-year contingency funds in the event the shutdown continued into November, the agency issued a memo on 10/24/25 stating that it will not use the contingency funds for this purpose. On 10/28/25, twenty-five states, including California, filed a lawsuit challenging USDA’s decision not to tap its contingency funds or other available resources to provide SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

See below for additional updates as of 10/28/25. Things are changing daily so be sure to check state websites for the most current updates.

Update from BenefitsCal

Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not sending money to states for November CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. This means your county cannot add money to your EBT card until federal funding is restored. This impacts all CalFresh households and cannot be appealed. You can keep using your existing benefits as usual.

• If you need food now, visit cafoodbanks.org/find-food to find your local food bank.
• Visit cdss.ca.gov for the latest information.
• CDSS CalFresh FAQs 

Update from Governor Newsom

While food benefits are delayed for 5.5 million residents, California is stepping up to protect families from hunger by fast-tracking $80 million in state funds to stabilize food bank food distribution and offset delays in federal CalFresh benefits. 

Governor Newsom has also mobilized the California National Guard and California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks and Californians by planning, packing, distributing, and delivering meals to families in need throughout the state

Additional Updates & Resources

California WIC is still open and serving families amid the federal government shutdown. Participants should continue to use WIC benefits to help stretch their food dollars and attend WIC appointments. Check the MyFamily website regularly for updates and announcements. WIC will keep participants informed of any changes to services. 

Don’t forget about free school breakfast for school-age kids!  If the government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits are delayed in November, your child’s public school still has free breakfast available. No paperwork is required! Every free school meal is a bit more grocery money in your pocket for dinner, weekends, and the rest of the family.

For more information on SNAP benefits and how to take action visit the Food Research and Action Center.