To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Continuation of Emergency Order
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONTINUE the emergency action taken by the Board of Supervisors on November 4, 2025, regarding the issue of disruption of funding for the CalFresh program, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP), and retain $21,000,000 in reserve as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
On November 4, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2025-386 proclaiming a local emergency caused by the disruption of funding for CalFresh food assistance benefits, including the activation of County disaster service workers; and allocating up to $21,000,000 from the General Fund and in the following order to purchase debit cards for distribution to CalFresh eligible households for the month of November 2025; directing the County Administrator, or designee to prepare a Budget Amendment to effectuate the final allocation decision of the Board of Supervisors; authorizing the distribution of debit cards to November CalFresh Eligible Households and authorize the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a related contract amendment; directing the Employment and Human Services Director to report to the Board of Supervisors, within 60 days, on the need for continuing the local emergency; and providing additional direction to staff on steps to mitigate the disruption of funding for CalFresh food assistance benefits
California ultimately successfully issued all November CalFresh benefits by November 10, although recipients scheduled for issuance November 1-6 did not receive their benefits until November 7. The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) did not issue any debit cards. In a partnership to deliver immediate food resources, the Food Bank of Contra Costa delivered 9,328 food boxes to seven EHSD and Contra Costa Health locations.
Due to the ongoing uncertainty at the federal level about funding for SNAP administration, it is appropriate for the Board to continue the declaration of a local emergency and hold the $21,000,000 in reserve for expeditious action if necessary.
While federal funding for SNAP benefits was extended through September 30, 2026, by the U.S. Congress, the situation remains unstable. For example, on December 2, 2025, USDA Secretary Rollins indicated that SNAP funds may be withheld from states that do not share recipient personally identifiable information with the Department of Agriculture. For now, the indication is that this would affect administrative and not recipient payments; however, it would be cautious to retain the entire $21,000,000 for extenuating circumstances that may develop.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County may not be able to quickly respond to federal actions that threaten SNAP benefits.