Will my CalFresh EBT benefits stop working during government shutdown?

Don't panic yet. CalFresh (SNAP) is considered an essential program and has contingency funds. During the last shutdown in 2023, benefits continued without interruption for most recipients. The USDA typically ensures funds are available for at least 30 days after a shutdown begins. What you should do: 1. Make sure your recertification and SAR7 are up to date 2. Budget carefully just in case there are delays 3. Check BenefitsCal.com for official updates If you're worried about your specific case, try calling your county office early morning (first 30 minutes they open) when wait times are shortest.

im going thru same thing right now! but honestly the govt always threatens shutdown and then last minute they figure it out. my worker told me before that even during shutdown we would still get our benefits but maybe a few days late. just make sure your paperwork is all current!!

I went through this when they shut down in 2019. What they did was issue February benefits EARLY in January as a workaround. So we got double benefits in January but then nothing in February which was super confusing. Check your EBT balance before the shutdown - you might get your next month's benefits loaded early but you'll need to budget them for TWO months. The whole CalFresh funding situation is much more stable now though, so they probably have better plans in place.

Typical government nonsense!! They'll shut down everything except their own paychecks! I've been on CalFresh for 4 years and gone through 2 shutdowns and they ALWAYS make us stress about whether we'll feed our families while they play politics. Last time my recertification was delayed 2 MONTHS because "staff shortages due to shutdown" and I had to go to food banks. Save this number: 877-328-9677 (CalFresh customer service) - sometimes they actually pick up!

I work with several clients on CalFresh, and I'd recommend not just calling the main CalFresh line during shutdowns - you'll rarely get through. Instead, try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold with the county office for you and calls you back when a worker is on the line. Really helpful during high-volume call periods like shutdowns. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 As for the shutdown impact, CalFresh should continue functioning normally for at least 30 days, and California has contingency funds to help bridge any gaps. Just make sure your address is current in the system so you receive any emergency notices.

Practical advice for shutdown preparation with CalFresh: 1. TAKE A SCREENSHOT of your EBT balance and recent transactions today 2. Call EBT customer service at 877-328-9677 and check when your next deposit is scheduled 3. Submit any pending paperwork THIS WEEK 4. Check that your phone number is current in BenefitsCal Most importantly: follow @USDA and @CalFreshInfo on Twitter for real-time updates. That's where they post emergency information first.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I just checked and my next benefit date is Feb 11th. I'm going to submit my SAR7 early and make sure everything else is updated in the system. I still have nightmares from the last time when they reduced my benefits without warning because of some "calculation error" during all the shutdown chaos.

As someone who's been through multiple shutdowns with CalFresh, I wanted to add that you should also consider signing up for text alerts from your county's DPSS office if they offer them. During the 2019 shutdown, some counties sent out emergency notifications about benefit schedule changes via text before they posted anything online. Also, if you have young kids like I do, start reaching out to local food pantries NOW to see what their requirements are (some need proof of income, others don't). Better to have that information ready than scramble during a crisis. Many churches and community centers also do emergency food distributions during government disruptions. One last thing - if your benefits do get delayed, you can often get emergency food assistance through your county's General Relief program. It's not much, but it can help bridge the gap.