County: | Incident: |

Resource Type:

CalFresh Resources – Ventura County

URGENT UPDATE:

The issuance of full CalFresh benefits has begun and will continue through November 10. If you normally receive your monthly benefits between Nov. 1-6, your full benefits should be on your card and we encourage you to use them. If you normally receive your benefits Nov. 7-10, you should expect to receive your benefits for use on the same day you normally receive your monthly benefits. For recipients who have received or are receiving their benefits, this is not in error and benefits are authorized for use. There is ongoing litigation over the issuance of benefits but at this time, no change in the availability of benefits is anticipated.

A Message from 211

The federal government shutdown beginning October 1, 2025 is now affecting the CalFresh/SNAP program. We know this creates significant challenges for the 77,000 Ventura County residents enrolled in CalFresh – including families, seniors, children, and people with disabilities. 

211 is here to help you get through this. We want to give you clear, honest information about what’s happening and connect you with resources to help you and your family during this crisis.

What’s Happening Right Now: The Facts You Need to Know

Your November Benefits – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • USDA has authorized the payment of partial CalFresh benefits. Over the next few weeks, the State will work with USDA to load partial benefits to EBT cards
  • This affects ALL CalFresh recipients in California 
  • Several court actions pending may still impact CalFresh
  • You do NOT need to reapply – benefits will automatically be issued when federal funding resumes 

What About People Who Applied in October?

For newly approved and enrolled CalFresh households, 100% of their benefits will continue to be issued until further notice.

What You Should Do Right Now

Keep Your CalFresh Case Active

Even though benefits are not being issued, you should still:

  • Submit your Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) on time
  • Complete your CalFresh renewal if it’s due
  • Send in any verification documents the county asks for
  • Complete your interview if you have one scheduled
  • Keep your case up to date so benefits can start immediately when funding resumes

County social services offices are still open and processing paperwork. You can still apply for benefits, but they will not be issued until the shutdown ends.

Can a State Hearing Help Me Get My Benefits?

Unfortunately, no. State hearing judges cannot order November CalFresh benefits to be issued because there is no federal funding available. Even if you request a hearing, benefits cannot be issued until the federal government provides funding or the lawsuit forces the USDA to use contingency funds.

Food Banks and Food Pantries in Ventura County

Food Share of Ventura County and over 200 local food pantries and partner agencies are prepared to help. Food Share has purchased additional food, increased deliveries to partner sites, and scaled up operations to meet increased demand.

Find a Food Share food pantry here: https://foodshare.com/findhelp/
To find other food resources near you:

  • Call 211 from any phone
  • Text your ZIP code to 898-211
  • Visit 211Ventura.org/topic/food and search for additional food resources

Most food pantries don’t require much paperwork—just show up during distribution hours. You may be asked for your name and household size, but proof of income or long forms aren’t usually needed.

Important: Food banks are seeing very high demand since CalFresh benefits ended. Please be patient—lines and wait times are longer, and some items may run out. Staff and volunteers are doing their best to serve everyone.

California National Guard Support

Governor Newsom has deployed the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help food banks handle the surge in demand. The National Guard is:

  • Working behind the scenes at food bank warehouses
  • Packing boxes and sorting food
  • Managing deliveries to distribution sites
  • Moving supplies to keep food flowing to families

IMPORTANT: The National Guard is on a humanitarian mission. They are NOT conducting immigration enforcement. They are NOT asking about immigration status. They are NOT acting as law enforcement. Their only job is to help food banks distribute food to people who need it.

Specialized Food Programs

Visit the 211 Ventura Food Guided Search page or call 211 for the following programs

Food Programs for Seniors:

Food Programs for Families with Children:

  • School Meals: Free breakfast and lunch continuing normally. Make sure your children eat at school
  • Weekend Food Programs: Many schools offer weekend food backpacks – contact your child’s school
  • After-School Meals: Available at many schools during the federal shutdown – contact your child’s school

Emergency Food Delivery (for homebound individuals):

  • If you cannot leave home due to age, disability, or illness, call 211 to be connected with home delivery programs

Free Community Meals

  • Many churches, community centers, and nonprofit organizations offer free hot meals.

Other Food Programs That Are Still Working

Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) and Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB):

These state-funded food benefits are NOT affected by the shutdown and will continue to be issued normally.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children):

WIC benefits received emergency funding and are currently available. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have children under age 5, you may qualify for WIC. WIC provides specific nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare. If you’re not already enrolled, apply now by calling 211 or visiting Ventura County’s  local WIC office.

Other Benefits and Programs

  • CalWORKs November benefits are NOT affected and will be issued normally. However, if the shutdown continues, December CalWORKs benefits may be at risk.
  • Medi-Cal is not immediately affected by the shutdown. If the shutdown extends past December 2025, there could be impacts, but for now, your Medi-Cal coverage continues normally.
  • Social Security benefits (retirement, disability, SSI) are NOT affected by the shutdown and will continue to be paid normally.

Making Your Food Last Longer

When benefits are stopped, every meal counts. Here are practical strategies to stretch what you have:

Plan Your Meals

  • Check what you already have at home before getting more food
  • Plan meals for the week based on what’s available
  • Cook larger portions and eat leftovers

Buy Smart (if purchasing food)

  • Buy store brands – they’re usually the same quality as name brand items
  • Choose filling basics: rice, pasta, oatmeal, beans, eggs
  • Frozen vegetables and fruit are just as nutritious as fresh and last longer

Reduce Food Waste

  • Store food properly to make it last longer
  • Use wilting vegetables in soups or stews
  • Freeze bread before it goes stale or gets moldy
  • Check dates and use older items first

Help With Other Bills and Expenses

If you’re struggling to pay other bills, 211 can connect you with programs that may be able to help:

Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to be connected with these resources.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Not knowing where your next meal will come from creates enormous stress. These feelings are completely normal:

  • Anxiety or panic about the future
  • Anger at the situation
  • Shame about needing help
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Having trouble sleeping

If you need someone to talk to:

  • Call 211 to be connected with mental health services
  • Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential)
  • Many community mental health centers offer services on a sliding scale

There is no shame in asking for help. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

What Happens When the Shutdown Ends

We don’t know exactly when the federal government shutdown will end, but eventually it will. When it does:

  • November CalFresh benefits will likely be issued retroactively (back-paid) to your EBT card
  • You do NOT need to reapply – benefits will automatically be loaded
  • There may be a delay to process all the back payments

Keep checking your EBT card balance regularly. You can also check BenefitsCal.com or contact your county social services office for updates.

Refer to the Ventura County Human Services Agency website for updates about CalFresh related to the federal shutdown.

You Are Not Alone

211 is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can:

  • Connect you with food banks and pantries near you
  • Help you find assistance with rent, utilities, and other bills
  • Link you with mental health support
  • Answer questions about CalFresh and other benefit programs
  • Provide information in your preferred language

How to Reach 211:

  • Call 211 from any phone
  • Text your ZIP code to 898-211
  • Visit www.211Ventura.org to search for resources online

You don’t have to face this alone. Reach out. Ask for help. Take care of yourself and your family. We are here for you.

You are strong. You are resilient. You are not alone.

If resources and information related to one of the following situations would be helpful, please follow these links:

Resources for furloughed federal workers

Resources for immigrants

Resources for Furloughed Federal Workers
Resources for Immigrants

*The situation is changing daily. For the most up-to-date information on the status of CalFresh, visit the Ventura County Human Services website. Our 211 information specialists are available 24/7 to help you.