Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Oct. 28 that California, along with over 20 other states, is suing the Trump administration over its unlawful refusal to fund SNAP benefits due to the nearly month-long federal government shutdown, despite having funds to support SNAP in November.

The United States Department of Agriculture is needlessly suspending November SNAP benefits, causing 5.5 million Californians to lose critical access to $1.1 billion in food assistance, the governor said.

“While Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage he’s done with his incompetence, he’s denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month,” Newsom said. “It’s cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesn’t care about the people of this country, only himself.”

The federal government is legally required to make payments to SNAP. Congress appropriated $6 billion to the USDA in SNAP-related contingency funds through September 2026 to continue funding SNAP benefits in instances such as the current government shutdown. The Trump administration chose to suspend November SNAP benefits despite contingency funding in place to help feed families, the governor said.

“When families don’t know where their next meal will come from, our government has failed its most basic duty to care for its people. The Trump administration’s decision to withhold food assistance that’s already been funded has left millions of Americans in fear and uncertainty,” Newsom added. “As a state, we know we must stand up and fight back. We are taking action for our families, for our children and for the 5.5 million Californians who deserve the simple dignity of knowing there will be food on the table.”

While food benefits are delayed for 5.5 million residents, California is fast-tracking $80 million in state funds to stabilize food bank food distribution and offset delays in federal CalFresh benefits. Newsom also mobilized the California National Guard and California Volunteers to support food banks by packing, distributing and delivering meals to families in need.

Members of the public who receive SNAP benefits are being directed to 211ca.org for a list of food programs, food pantries and distribution sites. The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank also offers assistance. For information, visit lafoodbank.org.