At St. Louise Resource Services (StLRS), we want to make sure our community stays informed about how the current federal government shutdown may impact CalFresh benefits in the coming weeks.
As of now, October CalFresh benefits have been issued as normal, but if the shutdown continues into November, there may be delays or interruptions in future payments.
According to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, families can expect:
✅ October benefits remain safe — all payments have been distributed as usual.
⚠️ Potential November delays — if Congress does not act soon, November benefits may be postponed or temporarily unavailable.
🕒 New applications and renewals may process more slowly, especially those submitted after mid-October.
🍎 Other nutrition programs (like WIC) are continuing for now, but could also be affected if the shutdown lasts several more weeks.
Governor Newsom has also announced that the California National Guard is preparing to support local food banks in case food-assistance delays increase demand statewide.
Here are a few steps we recommend for all CalFresh participants and applicants:
📞 Call us at 844-245-1900 — our bilingual team is here to support you.
Our StLRS team is closely monitoring updates from the California Department of Social Services and trusted community partners. We’ll continue to share the latest information with our clients through our social media, website, and outreach events.
We understand how stressful these uncertainties can be — and we want you to know you’re not alone. Our mission is to help families stay informed, supported, and connected to care.
St. Louise Resource Services remains committed to helping our community access the care and benefits they deserve — even during challenging times.