CalFresh faces possible shutdown in November. What about WIC?

As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, Gov. Gavin Newsom is warning of one possible impact on millions of Californians.

CalFresh benefits “will likely be delayed in November” if the federal government isn’t reopened by Thursday, Oct. 23, or if action isn’t taken to fund benefits, Newsom said.

CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides scores of lower-income Californians with food assistance. While CalFresh benefits are federally funded, benefits weren’t impacted for October.

But if the shutdown continues, there won’t be sufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for millions of people nationwide, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service memo issued on Oct. 10. That includes the “appr