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-Editorial
The Imperial County Department of Social Services (ICDSS) announced that CalFresh benefits, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have been restored for November 2025. Residents who normally receive benefits between the 1st and 7th of each month should have received their funds today, while those who typically receive benefits between the 8th and 10th will see no interruption in service.
ICDSS advised residents to continue submitting any required verification documents and to monitor their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts through the ebtEDGE mobile application, the online portal at www.ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of their card. Residents in need of additional support were directed to the Imperial Valley Food Bank at https://www.ivfoodbank.com or by phone at (760) 370-0966. Additional information is available at www.benefitsCal.com and the ICDSS website at https://www.imperialcountysocialservices.org/.
The restoration of benefits comes after delays caused by the 2025 federal government shutdown, which temporarily paused or reduced SNAP payments nationwide. During the disruption, many households reported difficulty accessing food, prompting increased demand at food banks across the country. Military families in particular experienced higher reliance on food pantries, as some service members’ spouses were either unemployed or also affected by federal work disruptions. For example, a military-based food pantry in Kansas reported a 300% increase in traffic, and the Armed Services YMCA saw a 34% increase in requests at its Killeen, Texas location.
The shutdown also affected other nutrition programs. While the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continued distributing benefits after additional funding was secured, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) faced delays in some states, despite federal funding being released. States such as Virginia and Maryland announced emergency initiatives and supplemental funding to offset disruptions for families dependent on SNAP.
The delays prompted legal action in multiple states. On October 28, more than two dozen states filed lawsuits to ensure the continuation of SNAP benefits, resulting in federal court rulings ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide funding. Following these rulings, the USDA began issuing partial and then full benefits, ultimately allowing ICDSS and other state agencies to restore benefits for residents.
Local officials encouraged residents affected by the temporary disruption to seek assistance from community food programs and consider donating or volunteering at local food banks to help families in need. They emphasized that ongoing communication through official ICDSS channels and benefit monitoring tools is critical while federal programs stabilize.
