SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom has warned that millions of low-income Californians could soon lose access to food assistance if the ongoing federal government shutdown continues into November.
The shutdown, now entering its third week, has halted funding for SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — which provides monthly food benefits to families in need. Federal officials have informed states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, that money may not be available for the next round of payments.
California, home to around 5.5 million SNAP recipients, is particularly vulnerable. The state’s version of the program, CalFresh, distributes more than $1 billion in federal funds each month through electronic benefit cards used to purchase food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. State officials have begun alerting local counties to prepare for potential disruptions, noting that over 63 percent of CalFresh recipients are children or seniors.
“If this shutdown isn’t resolved by Thursday, November benefits could be delayed,” Newsom cautioned. He criticized former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for allowing the situation to reach this point, saying their inaction is “endangering people’s lives and making basic needs like food more expensive.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, has not responded to media inquiries due to staffing shortages caused by the shutdown. Other nutrition programs have already felt the strain, including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which is rapidly running out of funds. The Trump administration has said it plans to use tariff revenue to keep WIC temporarily afloat.
As the shutdown drags on, California officials warn that families who depend on federal aid could face serious food insecurity — a crisis that could worsen as the holiday season approaches.
