Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program
(SNAP)/CalFresh
Disruption
Merced County Human Services Agency (HSA)
John Ceccoli, HSA Director
SNAP/CalFresh
Disruption
October 20, 2025: California Department of Social
Services (CDSS) released guidance on the federal
funding hold for November 2025 benefits.
October 20, 2025: CDSS began notifying CalFresh
recipients that benefits would be delayed if the
government shutdown was not resolved by October
23rd.
HSA immediately began preparing for impacts to the
community.
SNAP/CalFresh Disruption
October 22, 2025: CDSS indicated
no state of emergency was
declared.
No FEMA reimbursement anticipated
No federal reimbursement for
emergency County-issued benefits
October 31, 2025: two federal
judges ordered that the SNAP
funding be released and required a
response on Monday on their plan.
Information is forthcoming.
Additional Safety-Net Programs may
be affected if funding continues to
be disrupted.
CalWORKs
Aid to Adoptions
Foster Care
In Home Supportive Services
SNAP/CalFresh
Demographics
Approximately 32,000 Households in Merced
County
Over 67,000 individuals
Over 26,000 recipients are children 0-
18 Over 9,500 recipients are aged 60 and
over
Local Communities Impacted
31,000+ Merced
10,000+ Los Banos
8,000+ Atwater
3,000+ Livingston
3,300+ Winton
SNAP/CalFresh
Demographics
Many of the families who receive
SNAP/CalFresh Benefits are working
families
According to the US Department of
Agriculture, 1/3 of total SNAP
households have earned income
In California, approximately 2 in 5
households have an employed
member
In Merced County, over 19,000
CalFresh households have income
Approximately 60%
Economic
Impacts
CalFresh benefits are entirely funded with
federal dollars
No State or County funding obligated
$11.7 million in monthly benefits are
provided to the families
Average of $316.22 per household
For every dollar of SNAP benefits,
approximately $1.54 - $1.79 is infused into
the local economy
Nearly 300 vendors in Merced County accept
SNAP benefits
Department Operation Center Efforts
Collaboration with Food Bank
Food Pantry
Countywide food drives
Food Location Perimeter App Created
Collaboration with MCAG-The
Bus Free rides through November 13th
Coordination and Outreach
103 grocery stores and vendors
Coordination Amongst Cities
Website Created, Media Campaign
Created a plan for any increased lobby traffic and indirect impacts on the families we serve.
Food Drive Partnership with Food Bank
Food Resources
Merced County Website
QR Code
Contact 2-1-1
Conclusion
HIGHLIGHTED NEED FOR
COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO
DISRUPTIONS
QUESTIONS? THANK YOU!