Navigating CalFresh/EBT Benefits Disruptions: Support for Families

various fruits and vegetables spread out on table

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, there may be a lapse in CalFresh/EBT benefits starting November 1, 2025.

Families have begun receiving notifications about potential delays in disbursements. While existing EBT balances remain usable, new applications and recertifications may be delayed until federal funding resumes.

We recognize the impact this may have on vulnerable children and families. Below are local resources available to support food access and mental health during this time.

Hands of a child holding a red cloth heart with family's hands underneath

What This Means for Families

If your household receives CalFresh/EBT benefits:

You can continue using the funds currently available on your EBT card.
New benefit deposits scheduled for November 2025 may be delayed.
New applicants or renewals approved in late October or November may also experience delays in receiving their first benefits.
We recommend reviewing your remaining benefits and planning ahead for grocery needs during this period.

How to Prepare

Check your EBT balance and manage your current benefits wisely.
Purchase nonperishable foods and essential grocery items where possible.
Stay informed through updates from CDSS and our district communications.
Consider signing up for alerts from your county’s social services agency.
Reach out early for community support if you expect to experience a gap in benefits.

Local Food and Assistance Resources in Los Angeles County

211 LA County (24 hrs.): Dial 2-1-1 for food, counseling, and housing help

Visit: https://211la.org/resources/subcategory/food

LA Regional Food Bank: Find free groceries by entering your ZIP code or address https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/

Westside Food Bank: https://www.wsfb.org/our-services/need-food-help/

California Association of Food Banks Directory: Access a statewide directory of local food banks: https://www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food/

CalFresh Resources (CDSS): Learn more about benefit timelines, application status, and FAQs at cdss.ca.gov

L.A. County Dept. of Mental Health 24/7 Helpline: (800) 854-7771

Call or text National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8

Lifeline Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat

NAMI Family Support Groups: https://namiglac.org/events/

Didi Hirsch Crisis Support: https://crisiscare.org/

Students can continue to receive free or reduced-price school meals during the school week.
Contact your school’s front office, school district or food services department for meal program information.
Some schools or districts also offer on-campus food pantries or weekend meal kits—check with your principal or family liaison for details.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank – Mobile Food Pantry
A refrigerated truck brings produce, dairy, bread, and other nutritious items directly into underserved neighborhoods across LA County

How to access: Contact the Food Bank to ask about upcoming mobile pantry stops near you.

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles – FeedLA
Delivers free groceries and hot meals right to families’ doorsteps, especially targeted to those fearful of public spaces  KQED.

How to access: Families can call their hotline to request discreet delivery.

St. Francis Center – Pantry Delivery Program
Offers weekly home grocery deliveries to qualifying low-income families 

Project Angel Food
Primarily supports individuals with serious illnesses, but delivers fully prepared meals throughout LA County . https://www.angelfood.org/

Children’s Hunger Fund (via local churches)
Packages up to 20 lbs of food for families and distributes through church delivery programs. https://childrenshungerfund.org/

MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity)
Based in Pacoima, offers in-home food deliveries and community outreach through its Hope & Care Program. https://mendpoverty.org/

Boyle Heights “Raíces con Voz” Student-Led Deliveries

Local volunteers pack and deliver grocery bags to immigrant families staying home during ICE raids linktr.ee/RaicesConVozPH

CARECEN (Central American Resource Center)

Provides emergency food assistance in-home to eligible low-income and immigrant families across LA County  https://www.carecen-la.org/food_assistance

To support this dire situation with the loss of SNAP and CalFresh and critical food access impacting Los Angeles County residents, L.A. County Parks is leaning in to expand capacity to its Food Programs at Parks!

L.A. County Parks provides the following food safety net services programs for youth, teens and seniors. These food programs are:

Free Healthy Snack Program for youth at 48 parks

(Monday thru Friday @ 3pm-4pm) - ages 17 and under.

Free Hot Supper (Dinner) Program at Our SPOT Teen Centers for teens at 16 parks

(Monday thru Friday @ 7pm) - ages 12 to 18 years old.

Free Senior Food Program for older adults at 9 parks

(Monday thru Friday) – age 55+

Information about the Parks Food Program is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. See flyers below:

Flyer – English

Flyer – Spanish

Flyer – Chinese

Access parks.lacounty.gov

The PHFE WIC (the biggest WIC in LA County) is open during the government shutdown. Government employees who are furloughed/working without pay may qualify for WIC, if they are pregnant or have a child under age 5, consider applying and get WIC to help with grocery costs, even if it’s only temporary.

Applying for WIC is simple and can be done 100% by phone. Apply at www.startwic.org or text “APPLY” to 91997.
To find a WIC location near you, as well as days and hours of operation, visit: www.phfewic.org/en/home/