SNAP Suspension Affects 335 Sierra County Residents

SIERRA COUNTY — According to a statement shared by Sierra County Social Services Assistant Director Lori McGee, the recent suspension of CalFresh benefits caused by the ongoing shutdown of the federal government is affecting 335 individuals receiving food assistance in the county. The number accounts for roughly 10% of the county’s total population. Social Services has mailed information to impacted families, and McGee says her department is “working closely with community based organizations and other county departments to identify other resources that may be available to these households.”

County Supervisor Sharon Dryden reports being in contact with California Senator Megan Dahle’s office regarding the pause in benefits, with alternative options under exploration. The county website has been updated to instruct residents in need of assistance to call the Social Services office, which is open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, at (530) 993-6720. Several food bank options and alternative assistance sources are available on the Sierra County website.

McGee’s statement also explains a temporary restraining order was issued on Friday, October 31, by a Rhode Island judge, which orders the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to produce a plan for issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. If the proposal goes through, McGee says it is anticipated that benefits will take 1-3 weeks or more to be loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. The USDA has confirmed its intention to issue partial benefits using available contingency funds.

Behavioral Health Director Sheryll Prinz-McMillan added assistance is available for eastern county residents from Eastern Plumas Community Assistance Network (EPCAN) in Portola, but the organization doesn’t have enough resources to fully bridge the gap. Prinz-McMillan says that she will be attempting to funnel some of her department’s funding to EPCAN.