107,000 CalFresh recipients in Contra Costa County to receive grocery debit cards - Local News Matters

Contra Costa County will distribute grocery debit cards to 107,000 CalFresh enrollees affected by the federal government shutdown. The cards will match existing benefits, averaging $573 for a family of three. Supervisor John Gioia announced plans to allocate up to $21 million from the county’s rainy-day reserves, pending a vote by the Board of Supervisors to declare a local emergency. Distribution will occur at four Employment and Human Services Department offices, with food boxes also available for needy families, regardless of enrollment status. The U.

S. Agriculture Department has withheld payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program due to the ongoing government shutdown, impacting many families in need. Two federal judges previously ordered the Trump administration to ensure funding for the program. Gioia noted that it remains unclear when debit cards can be reloaded with the new benefits, which may take one to two weeks. He reaffirmed the county's commitment to supporting families who rely on these essential food benefits.