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County staff reports SNAP delays from shutdown affected about 5,500 cases; food banks stepped in
Summary
A county staff update said a federal shutdown delayed SNAP issuance for roughly a week, affecting about 5,500 cases (~9,000 people) in Siskiyou County; the county coordinated with food banks and has begun issuing benefits following state action and court orders.
An unidentified county staff member updated the Board of Supervisors that SNAP benefit issuance was disrupted by the October federal government shutdown and related vendor timing. The staff member said roughly 5,500 cases — about 9,000 people in Siskiyou County — faced delayed benefits when the FIS vendor did not load benefits on the usual schedule.
“We received a letter from the USDA indicating that … benefits would probably be impacted if the government shutdown didn’t end in a timely manner,” the presenter said, describing a volatile period where benefits were paused and resumed as courts and agencies issued direction. Staff reported the state began issuing benefits after a court action and that, as of the update, all delayed and pending applications had been processed.
County staff also said the president’s funding bill included SNAP funding through Sept. 30, 2026, but warned other federal programs remain uncertain. The presenter said the USDA has signaled a future need for SNAP recipients to reapply at some point to address suspected fraud, and that details and workload impacts for county staff are still unknown.
Supervisors asked for a return briefing on related state budget changes and staff said county staff, including the deputy director for employment and temporary assistance, would return next month to outline January changes and budgetary impacts.
