Bill would make CalFresh benefits resilient to federal shutdowns and require state contingency plans
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Summary
SB 1077 would require the California Department of Social Services to create contingency and communications plans so the state can rapidly issue benefits and inform recipients during federal shutdowns; sponsors cited disruptions during a 43‑day federal shutdown as the impetus.
Senator Gonzales told the committee SB 1077 responds to the long federal shutdown that delayed CalFresh issuance and left millions of Californians without full benefits. The bill would require the California Department of Social Services to develop contingency systems and a strategic communications plan so people understand benefit status and alternatives.
Josh Wright (California Association of Food Banks) and other anti‑hunger advocates described increased demand during the prior shutdown, citing studies and food bank call and website surges. Witnesses stressed that while food banks helped, they could not fully replace CalFresh: "For every meal our food banks provide, CalFresh provides nine," one witness said. Committee members asked technical questions about whether the bill would create a state‑funded emergency distribution tool and how it would interact with EBT infrastructure; witnesses said the intent is to create a ready mechanism, including appropriation authority if necessary, to issue interim benefits and better communications during a federal lapse.
The committee moved SB 1077 to Appropriations Committee with the item placed on call for absent members.
