CalFresh/SNAP benefits beginning to be restored after court ruling

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Many Californians are beginning to see their full CalFresh benefits reappear on their EBT cards following a court victory against the Trump administration, Governor Gavin Newsom's Office announced Thursday.

• The Nexstar Media video above explains what happens during a government shutdown

The restoration comes after California and a coalition of more than 20 other states filed lawsuits challenging the federal government's refusal to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the federal government shutdown. CalFresh is the Golden State's version of SNAP.

On Thursday, a federal courted ordered the Trump administration to immediately use 100% of the SNAP funding owed to the 5.5 million Californians who rely on the program. According to state officials, those benefits are now being processed and distributed through the state's regular CalFresh system, providing much needed relief to families across the state.

Newsom praised the court's decision in a statement, calling it a victory.

“California will continue fighting to ensure that our families can access the food they need and deserve," said the governor. His full response can be found here.

The lawsuit, filed on Oct. 28, argued that the Trump administration unlawfully withheld SNAP/CalFresh funding during the federal government shutdown, which is now the longest one in the nation's history. Despite having money available to sustain the program, according to the Governor's Office, the funding was frozen, in turn, leaving 5.5 million Californians temporarily without access to an estimated $1.1 billion in food assistance for November.

Two federal courts ruled on Oct. 31 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is required by law to use previously appropriated contingency funds to continue SNAP operations during the government shutdown. The courts also determined that the USDA had access to $23 billion in Section 32 funds that could have been used to maintain benefits.

Thursday's ruling from the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island requires the Trump administration to immediately restore full funding for the program nationwide — ensuring continued access to food assistance for more that 42 million Americans.

For Californians enrolled in CalFresh, the Governor's Office says benefits are now being distributed as normal. Recipients should check their EBT cards for deposits over the coming days.