Tulare County authorizes up to $1 million to United Way for emergency grocery assistance after SNAP disruptions
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Summary
The board approved up to $1 million in county funds to United Way to provide grocery gift cards/vouchers to residents affected by November SNAP/CalFresh benefit disruptions and to federally furloughed residents; staff will terminate the program when county staff determine it is no longer needed.
Tulare County supervisors on Nov. 18 authorized the county to provide up to $1,000,000 to United Way to distribute grocery gift cards and vouchers to residents who missed CalFresh/SNAP benefits during a recent federal funding disruption and to furloughed federal employees who can verify lost pay.
CAO staff said a continuing resolution subsequently restored SNAP funding into 2026 but that administrative gaps left some recipients without November benefits. The board discussed program scope, verification and administration. County staff said United Way will cross‑check eligibility daily with county records before issuing a card, and the program can be terminated when staff determine the need has passed.
Rosemary (United Way) told the board the organization has seen increased 2‑1‑1 calls and has QR codes and an intake process ready to identify eligible residents and distribute gift cards that disallow firearms, alcohol or tobacco purchases. “We are ready and willing,” she said, offering to coordinate closely with county staff.
Supervisor Chuckling moved the recommendation with a revision to delegate the county officer authority to terminate the program when appropriate; Supervisor Valero seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
What’s next: County and United Way will implement intake and verification workflows; staff will return reports as needed and terminate the assistance program once gaps are resolved.
