Subcommittee probes CFAP expansion trigger and Sunbucks operations; advocates press for protecting SNAP benefits amid federal uncertainty

The committee reviewed several food‑assistance and nutrition items in the May Revision. Jennifer Troia of the Department of Social Services summarized a proposed trigger that would allow Department of Finance to decide in spring 2027 whether to proceed with an expansion of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) that current law schedules for Oct. 1, 2027. Under current law the CFAP expansion would extend eligibility to all Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status; DSS said roughly 75,000 additional people could become eligible.

The May Revision also reappropriates $38 million for CFAP automation and outreach through June 2029 to prepare for the expansion if it proceeds. DSS reported it has resumed automation planning and will publish final policy letters by year‑end; the department paused automation earlier to ensure the work aligns with program design.

On Sunbucks (the federally approved summer EBT option that the state calls Sunbucks), DSS asked for position authority and operational funding to continue helpline and issuance activity and requested four positions (three funded, one position authority). The department said Sunbucks operations generated substantial caller‑volume and escalations in its first year and that the new positions would support appeals, notices, and customer service functions.

Other technical proposals included a $270,000 federal‑fund automation enhancement to auto‑populate income information in CalSAWS and a $2 million update to the CalFresh Standard Utility Allowance to comply with a 2024 federal rule; DSS said the new allowance is expected to increase benefits for some households. LAO urged caution on trigger language similar to its recommendation on the foster‑care trigger and asked the Legislature to retain its role in deciding whether to expand CFAP when that question becomes ripe.

Assemblymembers raised concerns about federal SNAP policy proposals under consideration in Washington, which some witnesses warned could sharply reduce benefits (national policy risk noted by speakers). Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Sharp Collins and others urged state contingency planning to prevent a cut to household benefits in the event of federal reductions; one legislative member is pursuing a bill to require state backfill in the event of substantial federal SNAP reductions.

No final budget actions were adopted; the committee asked DSS for details on projected CFAP caseload, outreach plans, automation timelines, and Sunbucks staffing needs.