Update - November 13th
Federal Government Reopening
On Wednesday, November 12th, President Trump signed into law the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (“FY26 Appropriations Act”). This will fully fund SNAP benefits through September 2026.
As previously reported, all CalFresh accounts in Sacramento County were fully funded starting November 7th, through the 10th. New applications that were submitted and approved on or after November 7th have not yet funded, but with the reopening, have been pushed through for funding and should start seeing benefits as early as tomorrow.
Continuing to Support the Community
The need for community support is greater than ever:
- Federal Employees & Families Struggling: Many federal workers have been without wages for six weeks, and numerous families experienced a week without food benefits, adding to their financial strain. With the holidays approaching, the uncertainty around food insecurity can be stressful.
- How You Can Help: Our food bank networks are more essential than ever. We encourage you to donate and support local food banks, which are on the front lines addressing food insecurity. If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, don’t forget to use the Food Locator to find available resources in your area.
The Sacramento County Emergency Operations Center is being deactivated this week. The Health Services Department Operations Center will deactivate next week. The County will maintain this CalFresh Shutdown website at least through November 21.
Update - November 10th
The weekend was marked by significant developments in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the distribution of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Federal Sequence of Events
- Friday Morning: The Rhode Island courts ruled that the USDA must access additional funding to ensure full SNAP benefits are issued to recipients. This decision sparked a series of legal actions to address the uncertainty surrounding benefits distribution.
- Friday Evening: After an unsuccessful appeal in a Boston court, the Administration took the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court granted a temporary stay, pausing any distribution of benefits until an appeals court made a final ruling.
- Sunday: The USDA issued new guidance, stating that all full benefits should cease immediately. Only partial benefits would be allowed for distribution going forward.
- Monday Morning: The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision upholding the lower court's ruling that the Administration must issue full SNAP benefits. This was a key win for those relying on the program for essential food assistance.
- Later Monday Morning: The Administration renewed its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to keep SNAP benefits frozen while the legal battle continues.
California & Sacramento County: Full SNAP Benefits Distributed Despite Uncertainty
Due to the initial court ruling Friday, California's SNAP recipients saw a much-needed boost:
- After receiving the court order Friday, the state moved forward with issuing full benefits to California residents. The payment files were processed, ensuring families received their full benefit payments for November.
- By the evening and through the weekend, individuals scheduled to receive benefits between November 1st-10th saw their accounts credited with full payments.
- While we await further clarity, there is no definitive guidance on whether the federal government can retract funds once they have been deposited onto EBT cards. We are awaiting guidance from the state.
- The situation remains fluid, and we will provide updates as soon as we have more information.
Please continue to check back with trusted sources for timely and accurate information.
Continuing to support the community
The need for community support is greater than ever:
-
Federal Employees & Families Struggling: Many federal workers are still waiting for their wages, and numerous families experienced a week without food benefits, adding to their financial strain. With the holidays approaching, the uncertainty around future funding is creating added stress for those who rely on CalFresh assistance.
-
How You Can Help: Our food bank networks are more essential than ever. We encourage you to
donate and support local food banks, which are on the front lines of this crisis. If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, don't forget to use the
Food Locator to find available resources in your area.
Update - November 7th 9:00 am
After a second court ruling November 6th for USDA to tap into an additional funding pool to fully fund SNAP benefits across the Country, Sacramento County can confirm it's are already seeing fully funded November benefits for some recipients.
At this time, we do not know how long it will take for all recipients to receive their benefits – please encourage all account holders to check their balance throughout the day. It is possible that CalFresh account holders that do not typically fund until the 8th-10th will experience no disruption to their regular monthly benefits.
Because of the week delay on receiving benefits, food pantries are still busy and experiencing a backlog of clients and dwindling food stores. We also anticipate a surge of business at local grocery stores, as benefits are restored at a rapid pace. The County EOC/DOC will continue operating until the need is no longer urgent to support the community transitioning out of this food crisis.
Continue Supporting Our Community
Update – November 6, 2025
Sacramento County continues to coordinate closely with state and federal partners in response to the shutdown's impact on CalFresh and local food access. The Federal government has authorized partial benefits for November. The State has confirmed and is working to begin issuing benefits mid-next week. We are awaiting further guidance from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on specific distribution amounts and timing. Updates will be provided as soon as they become available.
The County's Department Operations Center (DOC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remain active – working with food banks, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners and state agencies to coordinate relief efforts
Immediate Support Options
Real Time Updates by @SacCounty
Update - November 4, 2025
Friday’s court ruling requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue at least partial benefits for the month of November. While the USDA has confirmed that some funding will be made available, it has also clarified that the amount will not be sufficient to cover the full benefit allowances. The State of California is currently awaiting final instructions from the USDA regarding the total funding amount and the timeline for releasing those benefits. Until the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provides official guidance, counties are unable to disperse funds.
Local agencies continue to support affected residents and the local economy. Both the Department Operations Center (DOC) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are working closely with food banks, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners, and state agencies to coordinate relief efforts.
To help residents access food resources,
SacRT is offering
free rides to food distribution centers for individuals who present an EBT card and the accompanying flyer. Meanwhile, the County continues to provide updates on verified information through
ha.saccounty.gov and share on our social media platforms.
Earlier today, misinformation began circulating on Truth Social after the President posted a comment suggesting that the administration might defy the court order by withholding contingency funds. The White House clarified they will comply with the court ruling and proceed with the required benefit distribution.
Check back for updated information.
Update - November 3, 2025
As of November 3, 2025, a federal court ruling has ordered the USDA to issue partial SNAP payments using emergency funds. All CalFresh households are expected to receive a portion of their usual November benefit, but the exact amount and timing are not yet confirmed. Check back for updates. Visit
sacramentofoodbank.org to find local food resources.
Update - October 29, 2025
The State of California previously allocated $80 mil in funds to support food banks in the June state budget and have been in use by the food bank network for several months. The state has fast tracked half of that funding, designated for the second half of the fiscal year to be used immediately to offset delays in federal SNAP (CalFresh) benefits caused by the government shutdown.
This funding remains critical but food banks continue to face increased demand. Community support is essential.
Monetary donations are the most effective way to help (video). Food banks purchase in bulk and can stretch resources further so every $1 helps.
Make a one time or monthly donation.
If you have actual food goods to donate, please take them to your local food bank. A full list of food bank partners can be found at the
Food Finder. This is also a great tool for those in need of food, to locate the facility nearest them.
The Sacramento Food Bank headquarters on Bell Street does not hand out food directly, it is a hub to supply the 111 partners in the Food Bank network.
Food insecurity impacts singles and families all over the county. More than 60% of CalFresh recipients are housed and living in your neighborhood. Please be compassionate to those struggling during this time, be patient with increased traffic if you live near a food distribution center and consider donating during this Community Crisis
Questions?
Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Update - October 28, 2025
The federal government remains shutdown. At this time, benefits will be disrupted for those that typically fund the first of the month. Once the federal government reopens, benefits will take 4-5 days to fund. Funding will be retroactive for days that were missed.
For immediate food assistance, please use the local
Food Finder.
Sacramento County has activated it's Emergency Operations Center to help assess and coordinate community needs. The County is in communication with the foodbank system, fiath-based partners and Community Organizations to help assess resources already available, how the County and its cities can support their needs and identify gaps that need to be addressed to ensure all CalFresh card holders aren't going hungry.
Staff are also drafting a plan to help folks that are:
- Unhoused
- Homebound and unable to get to a foodbank
- People without means to cook that would usually use benefits for prepared foods
Questions?
Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Update - October 24, 2025
Governor Newsom has announced $80 million in state funding to release to the foodbanks. Sacramento is earmarked for $2.9 million in direct assistance to foodbanks. However, the County disperses more than $50 million a month in CalFresh benefits. The Governor is also deploying the National Guard to assist food banks in food distribution.
At this time, the county is working closely with local food banks to understand their current needs. Before donating anything to your local foodbank, please call them and ask what they need to maximize the usefulness of your donation.
To find the foodbank closet to you, please visit the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
online navigator tool
Update - October 23, 2025
As of today, the federal government remains shut down, and no new funding has been authorized for CalFresh benefits beyond
October 31, 2025. Unless federal funding is restored,
CalFresh benefits for November will not be issued, and households will not receive new funds on their EBT cards.
What This Means for Clients
- October benefits have already been issued and are available for use as normal.
- No new CalFresh benefits are expected to be loaded to EBT cards in November unless federal funding resumes.
- EBT cards will continue to function for any remaining balances, but no new benefits will be added until the federal government reopens.
- There are approximately 270,000 people enrolled in CalFresh in Sacramento County
The Department of Human Assistance (DHA) is alerting all CalFresh recipients through multiple communication channels, including text, social media, and lobby messaging.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to call 2-1-1 or visit
www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food/ to locate food resources in their community.
Update - November 10th
The weekend was marked by significant developments in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the distribution of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Federal Sequence of Events
-
Friday Morning: The Rhode Island courts ruled that the USDA must access additional funding to ensure full SNAP benefits are issued to recipients. This decision sparked a series of legal actions to address the uncertainty surrounding benefits distribution.
-
Friday Evening: After an unsuccessful appeal in a Boston court, the Administration took the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court granted a temporary stay, pausing any distribution of benefits until an appeals court made a final ruling.
-
Sunday: The USDA issued new guidance, stating that all full benefits should cease immediately. Only partial benefits would be allowed for distribution going forward.
-
Monday Morning: The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision upholding the lower court’s ruling that the Administration must issue full SNAP benefits. This was a key win for those relying on the program for essential food assistance.
-
Later Monday Morning: The Administration renewed its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to keep SNAP benefits frozen while the legal battle continues.
California & Sacramento County: Full SNAP Benefits Distributed Despite Uncertainty
Due to the initial court ruling Friday, California’s SNAP recipients saw a much-needed boost:
- After receiving the court order Friday, the state moved forward with issuing full benefits to California residents. The payment files were processed, ensuring families received their full benefit payments for November.
- By the evening and through the weekend, individuals scheduled to receive benefits between November 1st-10th saw their accounts credited with full payments.
- While we await further clarity, there is no definitive guidance on whether the federal government can retract funds once they have been deposited onto EBT cards. We are awaiting guidance from the state.
- The situation remains fluid, and we will provide updates as soon as we have more information. Please continue to check back with trusted sources for timely and accurate information.
Continuing to support the community
The need for community support is greater than ever:
-
Federal Employees & Families Struggling: Many federal workers are still waiting for their wages, and numerous families experienced a week without food benefits, adding to their financial strain. With the holidays approaching, the uncertainty around future funding is creating added stress for those who rely on CalFresh assistance.
-
How You Can Help: Our food bank networks are more essential than ever. We encourage you to donate and support local food banks, which are on the front lines of this crisis. If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, don’t forget to use the Food Locator to find available resources in your area.
Why are November CalFresh benefits delayed?
- The federal government is shut down. Until the government reopens, hundreds of thousands of Sacramentans receiving CalFresh benefits will be delayed in November 2025. There are currently more than 270,000 people on CalFresh benefits in Sacramento County.
Will I be able to use the CalFresh benefits on my EBT card in November 2025?
What if I am due to complete my SAR 7 or renew my CalFresh benefits in November and I haven't sent in my completed forms yet?
- Please continue to submit all required forms and your recertification as normal. However, there may be processing delays due to the continued federal government shutdown.
Can I still apply for new CalFresh benefits in November?
- Yes. You can apply for CalFresh benefits online at www.benefitscal.com, by phone at 1-877-847-3663, or in person at your local county social services office. For more information, visit www.benefitscal.com. Because of the federal government's shutdown and its failure to provide additional funding, your benefits may be delayed.
Are county social services offices still open?
- Yes. County social services offices are still open. You can go in person, or you can call 1-877-847-3663. For a list of in-person locations, visit
ha.saccounty.gov.
Where can I find additional food resources in my community?
- You can get free food from your local food bank. There are food banks across California that give free food to people in their communities. To find a food bank, call 2-1-1 or visit
sacramentofoodbank.org/find-food.
Can I request a state hearing if my CalFresh benefits are delayed due to the federal government shutdown?
- While hearings can always be requested, judges are unable to grant benefits due to the funding delays caused by the federal government shutdown. Therefore, there is nothing the County or State can do to speed up benefits.
Are CalWORKs benefits also at risk?
- Currently, the state is expected to be able to fund CalWORKs benefits for November 2025. However, a continued federal government shutdown will put December 2025 CalWORKs benefits at risk.
How can I help?
