October 29th Update
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. Food banks purchase in bulk and can stretch resources further so every $1 helps.
Make a one time or monthly donation.
If you have actually 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 foes 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.
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?
-
You will be able to use your EBT card with your existing benefits as usual through the federal government shutdown. We will share more information if anything changes.
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?
