Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

The Yurok Tribal Council voted to provide $300 food assistance cards to Yurok citizens experiencing disruptions in access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP and CalFresh benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The prepaid cards are available to each Yurok household with one person enrolled in these supplemental nutrition programs, regardless of where they reside.

“Our goal is to help our most vulnerable citizens get through this challenging time,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “We are working day and night to mitigate as much as possible the near and far-term negative impacts that the federal shutdown is having on our families.”

“The Tribal Council and staff are committed to doing everything we can to alleviate the burden that the federal shutdown is placing on economically insecure families. We know the heads of these households are working equally hard to provide the best quality of life for their loved ones,” added Yurok Vice Chair Rose Sylvia.

The food cards can be used at Safeway, Grocery Outlet and Walmart. Please note that the number of Walmart cards is limited, as they cannot be purchased in bulk. To acquire a card, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria.

  • One applicant per household
  • Must have one enrolled Yurok citizen in the household
  • Applicants must provide proof of participation in SNAP or CalFresh
  • Applicants must not receive benefits from Yurok Tribal TANF as they will automatically receive a $300 food gift card.
  • Apply before November 20, 2025

Starting today, tribal citizens may apply for a food card. Please complete the Emergency Food Gift Card application online at this link. The Tribe will be processing applications as quickly as possible. Tribal staff will contact local applicants to arrange a time to pick up the card at one of the following locations: Klamath Tribal Office, Weitchpec Tribal Office, Willow Creek Tribal Office, Eureka TANF Office and the Aawok Marjorie Buckskin Building in Crescent City. The application is available at these offices too. Cards will be mailed to applicants who reside outside the service area.

If you have any questions, please call the Client Services Receptionist at 855-55-YUROK, ext. 3068.

This measure is intended as temporary support and does not replace or replicate federally funded programs or services. Last week, the Tribal Council issued an emergency declaration to mobilize tribal resources for those in need. Concurrently, the Tribe is seeking emergency grant funding to bolster its response efforts.

Also last week, two judges ordered the federal government to continue funding SNAP during the shutdown. The 42 million Americans enrolled in the program may receive a portion of their November benefits, although the exact amount and timing of the payment remains unclear.