The Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) announced on Friday that, due to the government shutdown, some public assistance benefits may not be available in November. The benefits are the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as CalWORKS, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh.
According to a press release from DHS, benefits will be issued as usual for October. Due to the uncertainty of how long the government shutdown will be, the benefits may be impacted in November 2025.
The California Department of Social Services will notify the recipient if the benefits are not available for November. In the case that they are unavailable, this does not mean that the benefits are terminated or that eligibility has been lost.
In order to promptly receive benefits again once they are available, DHS encourages recipients to continue all mandatory reporting requirements. This includes the Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) and renewals, as well as any other necessary verifications.
If immediate assistance is needed for basic needs, call 2-1-1 or visit their website.
More information on the public assistance programs can be found on the California Department of Social Services Website.
