The ongoing federal shutdown is poised to have severe repercussions for lower-income residents in Kern County, as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known locally as CalFresh, faces a funding shortfall. Without resolution, over 200,000 people in the county could lose their CalFresh benefits as early as next month.
Angela Garcia, program director at the Kern County Department of Human Services, described the funding situation as “fluid,” noting that they are awaiting guidance from the state.
“We would also like to encourage our community, if they have any services they receive from our department, as far as CalFresh or CalWORKs for that matter, to please go ahead and submit your information for your semi-annual reports as well as the certifications and applications, as we will continue to conduct business as usual,” Garcia said…