After weeks of uncertainty, CalFresh benefits restored

After a turbulent stretch of government shutdown-fueled uncertainty , critical food assistance benefits have reached Californians.

All Californian recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as CalFresh in California, should have received their full benefits for November at this time, said Jason Montiel of the California Department of Social Services in an email to the Desert Sun on Nov. 13.

Approximately 5.5 million Californians currently receive SNAP benefits per month, helping low-income residents get groceries. While the record-long shutdown didn’t impact October benefits , it became clear that SNAP benefits for November were at risk for millions of Americans, prompting litigation as plaintiffs, including California, claimed the U.S. Department of Agric