With the federal government shutdown continuing into November, thousands of families in Santa Maria are now facing the immediate threat of losing access to food. CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), has confirmed in an automated phone message that while October benefits have already been issued, November benefits will be delayed until further notice.
The message states, “Benefits for the month of October have already been issued. Due to the federal government shutdown, November CalFresh benefits will be delayed.”
Santa Maria resident and SNAP recipient Rubén Rodríguez Peña said he first learned about the cut after checking the news online and immediately worried about the impact on his community. He volunteers at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, but also relies on SNAP to feed himself…