DPSS tells supervisors a county CalFresh match is needed to avoid major cuts; seeks appropriation for EBT restitution

Jackie Contreras, director of the Department of Public Social Services, told the Board that DPSS administers a massive portfolio of federal, state and county programs and urged the county to cover the local share of recent CalFresh cost‑shift decisions. Contreras characterized the department's gross FY26–27 request as $329 million, including $140 million in net county cost, and told supervisors the CalFresh county match request stands at about $40 million. She said failure to fund the county share could trigger loss of state and federal matches and estimated an approximate $250 million reduction in benefits and the potential loss of roughly 1,500 staff positions if matches are lost.

Contreras also highlighted recent operational steps to address a structural deficit: DPSS identified a $70 million structural shortfall in October and reported it had been reduced to about $32 million through hiring freezes and other measures. The department asked for a dedicated appropriation—separate from staffing requests—of roughly $28 million to reimburse customers for EBT theft losses; DPSS said the state provides the reimbursement dollars but county appropriation authority is needed to process those payments.

Supervisors pressed on General Relief redesign timelines and how DPSS is using pilots and data (including local pilots for people experiencing homelessness) to shape recommendations. Contreras said the department is working with state partners to advocate for administrative relief and additional resources and is using a multi‑pronged strategy—operational reassessments, four access points for services, outreach and technology—to manage increased demand with constrained resources.

Next steps: DPSS will return with detailed cost and policy recommendations; the board will consider NCC requests in the broader budget process.