PD 25-16: Impacts to Benefits During the Federal Shutdown (Revised)

Date: 10/17/25 (Revised 10/21/25, 10/22/25, 10/24/25, 10/30/25, 11/10/25)
To: DEBS Staff
From: Vivien Phan, Ana Guitron, SSA BPIS
Reference: ACL 25-75

Background

As of October 1, 2025, the federal government is shut down, and there is currently no anticipated date of resolution.

Important: When more information becomes available, this PD will be revised.

Communication

BenefitsCal

CalSAWS is actively updating the current messaging displayed on the BenefitsCal website.

California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

CDSS Website

The following message is displayed on the CDSS website as of 11/07/25:

The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from State programs may be impacted. Currently, the State is expected to be able to fund the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, known as CalWORKs, in November 2025. For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, benefits are restored.

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. On November 6, 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. 

For additional information, please see the following Frequently Asked Questions. 

CDSS Messaging for CalFresh 

CDSS is developing updated client messaging to provide information about the November benefit issuances.

Santa Clara County 

County Messaging for CalFresh

All messaging and outreach materials, including social media posts and IVR messaging, are currently being revised to reflect the issuance of November CalFresh benefits.

Note: All messaging efforts, except for the IVR, are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The IVR messaging is available in English and Spanish only.

Staff Guidance

Due to these messages being displayed on websites as well as messaging being sent to clients, staff may receive an increase in benefit inquiries. Staff should inform the client:

  • Clients should check their EBT cards for the deposit of November CalFresh benefits.
  • County offices remain open during regularly scheduled hours of operation.
  • Santa Clara County is awaiting further guidance from the state. As new information becomes available or circumstances change, the county will communicate updates through messaging, social media, or the county website.
  • CDSS has developed a Frequently Asked Questions webpage that they can refer to: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/food-nutrition-services/calfresh/calfresh-frequently-asked-questions.

If clients inquire on food resources, staff can refer them to:

  • Second Harvest Food Bank: Dial 1-800-984-3663 or visit https://www.shfb.org.
  • 211CA: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ca.org to connect with local food pantries, meal programs, and other essential services. Available 24/7 and in multiple languages.
  • Food banks across California: Visit www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food/.

CalFresh (CF)

November 2025 CF Benefits

On November 6, 2025, federal courts directed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to use emergency contingency funds to issue payments during the government shutdown.

CalFresh recipients who usually receive their benefits between the 1st and 7th of the month will get their full November benefits on November 7, 2025. Those who typically receive benefits on the 8th, 9th, or 10th will have benefits issued on their designated issuance date.

At this time, it’s uncertain how CalFresh benefits will be affected in December if the federal government shutdown continues.

Processing New Applications Received November 2025 and Beyond

Effective November 7, 2025, EWs may change the Immediacy Indicator to Rush to meet expedited processing timeframes.

CalSAWS 

Effective November 7, 2025, EWs must ensure the Immediacy Indicator is accurately set to either Rush or Routine, based on the required CalFresh processing timeframe.

Replacement of Benefits

FNS has not made federally funded replacement benefits for household misfortune, such as prolonged power outages, available for the months of November 2025 and beyond, and will be held by CalSAWS until further notice. The federal shutdown does not impact state-funded replacement benefits for benefit theft and will be processed as normal.

State Funded Food Benefits

California Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

Although CFAP is a state-funded program, the guidance provided above applies to both CF and CFAP benefits. 

Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) and Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) Programs 

SNB and TNB issuances are not impacted by the FNS guidance regarding the federal shutdown and will be processed as normal.

CalWORKs (CW)

The state has not received any guidance specific to the federal shutdown for CW. CDSS anticipates that CW funding is available for November 2025 benefits.

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)/Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP)

CDSS does not anticipate any disruption to RCA/TCVAP at this time. 

General Assistance (GA)

GA payments are fully funded by the county and are not impacted at this time.

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

CDSS does not anticipate any disruption to CAPI at this time.

Implementation

This PD is effective immediately.