The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Oct. 27 that it will not operate its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 due to budget shortages resulting from the ongoing government shutdown. Updates for Contra Costa County SNAP can be found here.
The 42 million recipients of SNAP are now reeling as one of the best lifelines for those struggling is cut off. While cards with remaining balances will not be affected by the plan change, no new credit will be added to Electronic Benefit Transfer cards in November.
The announcement appeared as a banner at the top of USDA.gov, the official website of the USDA.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the website reads. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 1.” The website slams senate democrats for “holding out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures.”
The ongoing battle over extensions of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act has reached a fever pitch, and this latest development drove shock among those who rely on the program to get food. As the price of everyday life continues to skyrocket and the holiday season rapidly approaches, this announcement cannot come at a worse time.
“Food is hard to get, even with the benefits,” said Gabriel Osiuhwu, a Los Medanos College student. “Without them, I don’t know.”
The shutdown has been ongoing for 28 days now, and with both sides of Congress dug in on their demands, SNAP recipients are left out to dry as the nightmare shutdown continues at a stalemate.
As of now, EBT cards with a balance remaining can still be used past the deadline, but no new money will be added to the cards for the month of November. SNAP benefits each month can make the difference between eating and missing meals for some.
SNAP has been a crucial program for Americans. CalFresh, the state-administered branch of SNAP, aided over 5 million Californians alone last year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The program has also lifted 711,000 Californians above the poverty line since the 2020 pandemic and enrollment in CalFresh has continued to rise amid increasing inflation and higher living costs.
“The demand hasn’t gone down since COVID,” said Jeremy Crittenden, a Communications representative for the Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano County. “Month over month, year over year, we continue to see the need increase.”
Those who receive SNAP benefits will be searching for other ways to fill their pantries. Local food banks have already faced rising demand, but the official halt of SNAP benefits in November could spark a surge in need that many may struggle to accommodate given the widespread population that rely on the SNAP program.
“Our senior community is going to be hit really hard by this,” Crittenden said. “A lot of them are already on a fixed income. I’ve talked to a few of our seniors in our community and they are worried. They don’t know how they are going to make up for that.”
FBCCS has not had to limit food distribution, according to Crittenden, but if demand increases over capacity, the food bank might limit the amount each person can receive.
“Instead of getting a bag of maybe five onions, you are now leaving with one to two onions,” said Crittenden. “Just making sure that everyone gets something. Unfortunately, it might mean that we will have to give less food to everyone, but we will ensure everyone gets food.”
Food banks, such as FBCCS, were never meant to be able to replace CalFresh but will continue to run despite the government shutdown as they rely primarily on state and local funding. An interactive map on the FBCCS website shows where people can find their local food bank for assistance. Find it here.
To support the college community, LMC Marketplace provides food and other essential items to those who need them.
The marketplace is doubling its weekly shipments to prepare for the expected uptick in demand, according to Aaron Ramos, a Basic Needs program manager.
“People who are too busy, they might not notice until [the money] is supposed to come in but doesn’t”, he said. “I think after the benefits are supposed to be issued and aren’t, I think we will probably see an increase [in demand].”
The marketplace will continue to provide for the college and will adapt to whatever circumstances develop. The marketplace is open to all students and staff, who are free to come by from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
“We are always open during our hours,” said Ramos. “Don’t be afraid to come down and get some food, especially during this time.”
The LMC Foundation, a nonprofit corporation that raises money to help Los Medanos College students reach their goals, also runs an emergency aid program called Help Our Students Succeed, or HOSTS. The program offers a one-time emergency fund that students can receive during their time at LMC. A staff or faculty member must complete the application to refer a student for consideration.
Tara Sanders, director of the LMC Foundation, explains the application process.
“A student would go to a counselor, a faculty member or a staff person on campus, that they have a relationship with. They would explain their emergency need situation, and then based on that, the faculty staff member would fill out the HOSTS application.” After the application is reviewed, as long as the student’s situation meets the eligibility for the emergency fund, they would receive up to $500.
As federal SNAP funding is uncertain, campus programs like the LMC Marketplace and HOSTS can serve as a final line of support for students facing new financial strain.
