Contra Costa County approves debit cards for families who rely on SNAP

(KRON) — The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of distributing $21 million through debit cards to 107,000 families who rely on CalFresh benefits, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not sending money to states for November CalFresh (SNAP/EBT) benefits. Counties, including Contra Costa, cannot add money to EBT cards until the weeks-long government shutdown ends and federal funding is restored.

SNAP benefits have been interrupted for millions of Americans who depend on federal food aid.

Supervisor John Gioia said debit cards are the best way to help families in Contra Costa County buy groceries with dignity.

“While supporting food banks is important, our first goal is keeping money in people’s pockets, so they have the dignity to spend the money for their families at the local market, like they’ve done, and have as little interruption to their life as possible,” Gioia said.

The debit cards will roll out on Monday, and will be distributed at four of the county’s Employment & Human Services offices. The four offices are located in Richmond, Pleasant Hill, Antioch, and Hercules.

Families can also receive food boxes through Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano’s “Find Food Mapper.”

“This $21 million only covers one month of benefits so if this goes past November, we have to decide whether or not to continue it. We all want this shutdown to end here in November,” Gioia said.

Employment & Human Services office locations:

• 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard, Antioch, CA 94509
• 400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
• 1305 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801
• 151 Linus Pauling Drive, Hercules, CA 94547