California Families Win Legal Battle to Restore SNAP Benefits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California families are seeing their SNAP food benefits restored following a major legal victory against the Trump administration.

A court ruling earlier today mandated that the administration immediately release funds for 5.5 million SNAP recipients in California, allowing families to access critical food assistance once again. This ruling follows two lawsuits filed by California and a coalition of other states, challenging the administration’s decision to halt food aid during a federal government shutdown.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, underscoring the urgency of these funds for families affected by the shutdown. “We will not sit by as families go hungry. It’s a moral obligation to ensure that food assistance is available during times of crisis,” Newsom said.

The legal action came after more than 22 states joined California in suing the federal government over its refusal to fund SNAP/CalFresh benefits, which left many Californians without access to approximately $1.1 billion in food assistance in November.

In a related ruling, federal courts affirmed the government’s responsibility to use available contingency funds, which include $23 billion set aside for SNAP. U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ordered that full benefits must be restored, stating the USDA cannot legally withhold funds meant for food assistance.

These critical benefits help approximately 42 million Americans avoid hunger, with a substantial portion living in California. Advocates argue that the interruption in aid caused significant strain on low-income families, leading to increased anxiety and uncertainty about accessing food.

As SNAP benefits gradually become accessible again, officials warn it may take some time for funding to be fully restored for all recipients. The loading of funds onto EBT cards could take days or even weeks, prompting families to seek support from local food pantries in the meantime.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the California government mobilized resources, including the National Guard, to assist food banks across the state in distributing food to families facing difficulties during this transition. Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have also committed to advocating for full restoration of federal SNAP funding to prevent future shortages.

With the Pennsylvania-based Democracy Forward legal group leading efforts against the administration, leaders remain motivated to secure unwavering support for Americans in need, emphasizing that it should not require a courtroom battle to ensure families receive essential nutrition.