San Benito supervisors approve $150,000 emergency allocation as CalFresh benefits stall
Loading...
Summary
Facing a partial and uncertain CalFresh benefit release, the board approved a $150,000 HHSA budget augmentation, authorized a $100,000 immediate payment to the local food bank and gave the CAO discretion to spend up to an additional $50,000 from HHSA reserves to support specialized food distributions.
San Benito County supervisors on Nov. 6 approved a budget augmentation and contract to provide emergency food distribution for residents affected by a disruption in CalFresh (SNAP) benefits, authorizing an immediate $100,000 payment to the county’s food bank and discretionary CAO authority for up to $50,000 more from HHSA reserves if needed.
HHSA staff reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and California Department of Social Services had authorized a partial issuance of benefits and that county staff had been told a partial release could occur mid‑next week; county staff cautioned timing and amounts remained uncertain pending federal and state actions and possible court proceedings. "They informed us that USDA has authorized the release of partial benefits, and they should be released mid next week," Tracy, HHSA, told the board.
Food‑bank representative Antonio described operational constraints, including limited cold storage capacity, and an earlier internal estimate that purchasing nutritionally balanced food for one month could cost about $400,000 (which included roughly $30,000 in administrative costs). "If the partial payment is late or the government shutdown continues, I'm not sure we will be OK through the next board meeting," Antonio said. He urged the county to keep processes simple and avoid extra red tape during the crisis.
Supervisors debated speed versus controls. Several urged immediate funds so the food bank could set up specialized distributions; others asked staff to report HHSA reserve balances before any additional transfers from the general fund. The board approved a motion to augment the HHSA budget by up to $150,000, allocate $100,000 immediately to the food bank and authorize the CAO to approve up to $50,000 in additional HHSA funds as needed; vote 4‑0.
The board also authorized staff to draft letters to state and federal legislators describing local impacts and to expand public communication (schools, 211, press releases) about where affected residents can get food or check benefit status. County counsel later reported no reportable action from two closed‑session items.
Staff said they will monitor EBT issuance, the content and timing of any state 'truckload' of donated food, and the food bank’s capacity to receive perishable goods and report back by the Nov. 18 board meeting or sooner if conditions require.
