Solano County Demands Urgent Action to Protect CalFresh Benefits
UPDATE: Solano County leaders are urgently calling for immediate state action to protect CalFresh recipients from severe cuts tied to President Trump’s controversial budget package, H.R. 1. Just a week after Congressman John Garamendi visited the Contra Costa-Solano County Food Bank to highlight the issue, the Board of Supervisors has sent a formal letter demanding intervention from California lawmakers.
The letter, signed by Board of Supervisors Chairman Mitch Mashburn, warns that without swift action, more than 54,000 Solano County residents could face food insecurity as early as next year. This alarming request comes as the county seeks $90.7 million in funding to manage the fallout from federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California.
Authorities stress that if state lawmakers do not allocate funds by the end of the current legislative session, vulnerable residents will be at significant risk. The letter highlights the negative impact of the federal changes, which expand work requirements and time limits for “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” (ABAWDs), now including individuals aged 55–64 and parents of teenagers aged 14–18. Furthermore, exemptions for veterans, the homeless, and former foster youth have been eliminated.
“Preserving this assistance is not just a policy matter — it is critical to public health and community stability,” the supervisors wrote, emphasizing that disruptions in food support lead to increased hunger and health deterioration among affected populations.
To address these new challenges, the county plans to use the requested funds for staffing, training, and outreach to inform recipients of the new requirements. This includes verifying household utility expenses and managing more complex eligibility determinations for non-citizens.
County officials are warning that failure to act could not only exacerbate food insecurity but also lead to costly federal penalties. Research indicates that complex SNAP rule changes often result in increased Payment Error Rates (PER), which could impose up to $2 billion in additional costs to California starting in 2027.
The urgency of the situation is evident. Local leaders are sounding the alarm that without intervention, CalFresh recipients may start losing benefits, worsening conditions for children, seniors, and low-income families already grappling with rising living costs.
“Absent state action, H.R. 1 will increase hunger among children, families, and seniors, and destabilize CalFresh county operations,” the letter warns, urging immediate legislative action to protect California’s most vulnerable communities.
This plea echoes Congressman Garamendi’s claims during his visit to the food bank, where he condemned the federal cuts as “cruel and unnecessary.” With the clock ticking, Solano County officials are imploring California lawmakers to act decisively to avert a looming crisis.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the situation unfolds.
