Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

After delays and many unknowns during the federal government shutdown, CalFresh recipients started receiving their November benefits on Thursday, Nov. 6. This move followed an order from a federal judge earlier in the day who directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to find enough money to restore full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday, Nov. 7.

While this situation continues to be fluid, Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Director Connie Beck said Friday morning, with the changing information and unknowns, finding out benefits started being issued last night was a “wonderful surprise” and a relief for the more than 30,000 county residents who receive CalFresh.

“In this trying time, staff and our community have really stepped up,” she said. “Not only is DHHS is the midst of hosting our own county employee food drive, but numerous local restaurants, businesses and other community residents are doing the same. I am proud to be a part of this community and very proud of this department and our staff.”

According to a news release from California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Thursday evening, “Following two lawsuits filed by California and other states and a coalition of others, California families are beginning to see their full SNAP benefits restored on their EBT cards. Earlier today, a court ordered the Trump administration to immediately issue 100% of funding for 5.5 million California SNAP recipients. Following the regular process for providing CalFresh benefits, benefits are now beginning to be available on recipients’ cards so that families can again access the food they need.”

While this is subject to change, it means that households that would normally receive their full benefits between Nov. 1 and 7, are on track to have their full benefits available by Friday, and households that would normally receive their full benefits between Nov. 8 and 10, are on track to have their full benefits available as normal, an email from the California Welfare Directors Association stated. Households determined to be newly eligible for November are also on track to receive full benefits.

In Humboldt County, approximately 22% of county residents receive CalFresh benefits which equates to between $5.8 and $6 million a month. These benefits not only supplement the food budgets of elderly community residents, families with children and other individuals, there are many businesses in the county that accept EBT cards and rely on this income as well.

Families that receive benefits through the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program, can expect to continue receiving them through November, despite the shutdown.

For more information about your CalFresh benefits, visit BenefitsCal.com or call DHHS’s Social Services Call Center at 1-877-410-8809.