November 12, 2025 — The House passed a Continuing Resolution, and three appropriations bills to reopen the government. SNAP (CalFresh in California) is funded through the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30, 2026).

November 6th, 2025 — On November 6th, following two lawsuits, a federal judge ordered that FULL November SNAP/CalFresh benefits be provided, rather than just partial benefits, and that it be done as quickly as possible. Humboldt County families began to see full November benefits restored on their EBT cards.

CalFresh households that would normally receive their full benefits between November 1st and 7th were expected to see their full benefits available by Friday, November 7, and households that would normally receive their benefits between November 8 and 10 were, as of Nov. 6, on track to have their full benefits available as normal on the day they receive them. Households determined to be newly eligible for November were also, as of Nov. 6, on track to receive full benefits. There may be some unknowns with this due to the federal appeal process.

We will keep monitoring the situation, including the appeal process that is unfolding at the federal level.

We are hearing reports of some local households still not receiving their benefits.

If you did not receive your benefits by November 10th:

  • Check whether you had a required semi-annual report due in October.

  • Check whether you needed to do a recertification in October to renew your benefits.

  • Reach out to Humboldt County DHHS for further information via telephone: 1-877-410-8809.

  • Or visit a local DHHS office: Eureka (929 Koster St., Eureka); McKinleyville (1615 Heartwood Dr., McKinleyville); Fortuna (3306 Renner Dr., Fortuna); Garberville (727 Cedar St., Garberville) Hoopa (68 Orchard St., Hoopa)

In Humboldt County, approximately 22% of residents receive CalFresh benefits, which helps supplement the food budgets of older adults in our community, in addition to a large number of families with children.

Food for People and its network of pantries countywide remain here to help as families do their best to catch up from an especially stressful few weeks filled with challenging financial decisions amidst lack of access to food, and furloughed federal workers remain unpaid.

We are deeply appreciative of our community and supporters coming together to help make sure no one in Humboldt County goes hungry.

November 3rd, 2025 — Through several lawsuits, federal judges ruled that SNAP (CalFresh in California) benefits must be issued. This does NOT make SNAP benefits immediately available. It does begin the process of directing funds, as long as nothing else gets in the way of this path. In other words, benefits continue to be delayed, and communities continue to strategize and respond to increased hunger due to lack of funds to purchase food.

The answers to many questions are still unknown. Here is what we do know so far:

  • USDA plans to spend down the contingency fund for SNAP. The contingency fund does not have enough in it for the full month’s allotment of November benefits, so households will only receive a portion of their usual amount.

  • This process is not instantaneous. There are administrative steps that need to happen before benefits can be deposited on CalFresh customers’ EBT cards. It takes some time for USDA to put together necessary data and instructions for how to issue partial benefits. It has never been done before.

  • When benefits eventually become available, households would get benefits following the usual 10-day issuance stagger (some households always get their benefits on the 1st of the month; some the 2nd; some the 3rd; and so on through the 10th). Benefits will not necessarily be received on the usual day of the month households are used to—but they will likely be staggered over 10 days somewhere in the month. In other words, benefits still remain delayed.

  • States must wait for guidance and instructions to be issued to them by USDA. When the State receives its instructions, it will work on updating systems and procedures as quickly as possible and send guidance and instructions to counties so that benefit data can move toward being processed and issued. It typically takes our state about a week of processing time to get CalFresh benefits loaded onto EBT cards, but our State will do everything possible to speed up its timeline. That said, there are many unknowns about timelines at all levels.

  • No one knows exactly when benefits will become available to CalFresh households.

Federal Shutdown Impacts & Updates

October 2025 — California Department of Social Services (CDSS) received notice from the federal government that November SNAP (CalFresh) benefits will be disrupted if the federal shutdown continues past October 23, 2025, which it has. October benefits were fully funded and on time, however November benefits may be delayed.

  • Households that apply for CalFresh at any point in October and are determined newly eligible for October 2025 benefits will receive their October benefits going back to the date of the application. Any benefits obligated for October, regardless of when approved, will be issued.

  • Households can continue to apply for CalFresh now, in November, and beyond, but benefit issuances for November onward will be held until further notice.

  • Existing benefits on CalFresh EBT cards can continue to be used as usual through the federal government shutdown, including into November.

  • Please continue to submit all required forms and recertification as normal, as they are due, to keep your CalFresh case active.

CDSS sent out statewide messaging and direct client communications to the entire ongoing CalFresh caseload via text and email, when an email address has been provided by a household. Additional messages may be sent as info becomes available or circumstances change.

Western Center on Law & Poverty and Impact Fund are gathering survey input from households that would be impacted by the federal shutdown if there is a delay in receiving SNAP benefits. No contact information is required— It can be anonymous, if desired.

Other program notes:

  • WIC has confirmed that it has funding to continue issuing WIC benefits through the END of November.

If you need help accessing food:

  • Visit Food for People’s website at  www.foodforpeople.org to find a pantry near you, or call (707) 445-3166.

How you can help:

A delay of November SNAP/CalFresh benefits will impact approximately 5.5 million Californians. SNAP (CalFresh in California) is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and poverty, helping more than 42 million people afford food, including about 16 million children, 8 million older adults, and 4 million people with disabilities. Food banks alone cannot make up the entirety of the gap created by SNAP delays and future cuts. For every meal provided by a food bank, SNAP provides nine.

We will provide updates as they are available.

CDSS Frequently Asked Questions