California’s lawsuit, joined by more than 20 other states, accused the administration of unlawfully refusing to fund SNAP benefits despite having money available.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After weeks of uncertainty for millions of Californians, food benefits are finally starting to reappear on CalFresh cards.
The Governor’s Office confirmed Thursday night that recipients are beginning to see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as CalFresh, benefits restored. The development follows two lawsuits filed by California and other states against the Trump administration, demanding the release of emergency funds withheld during the federal government shutdown.
In a statement, Governor Gavin Newsom said a federal court ordered the administration to “immediately issue 100% of funding for 5.5 million California SNAP recipients.” He praised the decision, saying, “As President Trump continues to create harm through self-inflicted wounds on our country, we will keep protecting Americans who are caught in the crossfire. I am pleased at the court ruling and that those food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families.”
The U.S. District Court of Rhode Island ruled the administration must immediately restore full benefits, marking a temporary victory for millions of households who rely on CalFresh to buy groceries. But the Trump administration has since filed an appeal. It’s unclear when that appeal will be heard.
California’s lawsuit, joined by more than 20 other states, accused the administration of unlawfully refusing to fund SNAP benefits despite having money available. The state said the lapse cut off $1.1 billion in food assistance for 5.5 million Californians in November.
Two federal courts found that the government was required to use previously appropriated SNAP contingency funds, including $23 billion in Section 32 reserves, to keep the program running during the shutdown.
Before the announcement, local food banks were struggling to keep up with the surge in demand. Amanda McCarthy, executive director of River City Food Bank in Sacramento, said they serve about 30,000 people every month, but demand rose 18% in recent weeks.
“It has been a really rough time,” McCarthy said. “We want to be a constant ray of hope for people. We want them to know that regardless of what’s happening in the community, we’re here. Hunger will not wait for those decisions and neither will we.”
ABC10 asked the The Governor’s Office about where does the Trump administration’s appeal play into the picture. Spokesperson Tara Gallegos issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration is literally fighting in court to ensure that families can’t access food. We will let them speak to their unconscionable legal strategy, but filing an appeal does not excuse them from following the court’s order requiring them to fund these benefits for the American people.”lease funds
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