05 Nov ‘We Put Our Money Where Our Mouth Is’: Contra Costa to Cover Partial SNAP Payments

(Image courtesy of Contra Costa County via Bay City News)

By Samantha Kennedy

Contra Costa County supervisors are tapping into $21 million to substitute missing federal food assistance benefits for over 107,000 recipients in the county. 

Supervisors on Tuesday approved the issuance of debit cards to be loaded with about half of a family’s typical monthly benefit while declaring a local emergency due to the delayed benefits from the national program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

“This shows we put our money where our mouth is,” said Supervisor John Gioia.

More than a month into the federal government shutdown, November benefits have yet to be issued and will likely take “several weeks” to send out, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who oversees the program. 

President Donald Trump added to the confusion ahead of the county’s meeting, saying on social media that states would not be getting SNAP disbursements until the government shutdown ends. 

Funding for the partial payments covers four weeks. Of that, $8.18 million will come from the general fund’s unassigned balance and $12.8 million from appropriations from contingencies.

Supervisors initially considered a proposal that would have split the funding source between the above contingencies category and a COVID-19 FEMA reimbursement deposited into the account during the budget appropriation process. 

But public speakers and some supervisors raised concerns over using money from the latter, which is what remains from a pot that also financed Community Impact Funds. 

“That’s something I’d like to … find out if there’s another funding source for,” said Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston. “$1 million [in Community Impact Funds per district] isn’t enough to meet all the needs.” 

In September, retailers in the county made more than $16.29 million in sales to CalFresh beneficiaries, according to county data.

Most of that money is spent in District 5, including the Pittsburg and parts of Antioch, Martinez and Hercules, which is also home to 29% of CalFresh recipients in the county. 

Contra Costa is one of at least three counties — the others being San Francisco and Napa — that has set aside money to make payments to CalFresh recipients. Others, including Contra Costa, have sent money to food banks. 

Contra Costa’s debit card commitment is the largest of the three. 

Supervisors acknowledged that the move is only “a band-aid.” 

“I really want to make sure that people have an understanding that we’re doing the best we can with what we have, and it’s not something we’ll be able to do long-term,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis. 

And similar proposals might have to come forward as the country gets deeper into the Trump administration, supervisors said. 

“This is just the first drop in the bucket. I have the feeling that we are going to need to tap into any unallocated funds [going forward],” said Supervisor Candace Andersen. 

Beginning the week of Nov. 10, the county will distribute the preloaded debit cards at four of its busiest Employment and Human Services Department offices:

• 1305 MacDonald Ave. in Richmond
• 151 Linus Pauling Drive in Hercules
• 400 Ellinwood Way in Pleasant Hill
• 4545 Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch

Food boxes are also available at those locations for anyone who needs them even if they do not receive CalFresh.