Lindsay Oh | OutWrite
SNAP-EBT has played a vital role in the survival of millions of low- and no-income families since its establishment in 1964 as the Food Stamp Act. October 1, 2025 is the start of the new federal fiscal year, relying on congress to pass the new year’s federal budget; however, since the Senate continues to not pass the bill, we are in what is now the longest government shutdown in American history. 20 days into the shutdown, federal funding for SNAP was reported to run out for November if the budget was not approved by November 1. Mid-October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) told all state agencies that manage SNAP distribution like CalFresh to not process November benefits “until further notice.” Senatorial votes to fund the government since September have failed 14 times, but Trump (as of November 6, 2025) has finally agreed to comply with a federal court order to use contingency funds to distribute November SNAP benefits.
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program run by the federal government. In California, the program is called CalFresh, with the benefits slightly adjusted to account for differences in the cost of living. The benefits to SNAP/CalFresh recipients are distributed monthly on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This fund stoppage doesn’t mean people won’t get their November benefits, but it has been delayed for many. However, delaying funds still hurts people who depend on the benefits because many are disabled and have children and thus have more expenses elsewhere — especially with winter coming. According to Jackie Dilworth of The Arc “WIC [Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children] supports nearly 7 million pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children. Even short disruptions can harm child nutrition and development.” After the shutdown ends, reimbursements should theoretically occur, but that can’t be expected to fix the damage done.
A 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA reported that 2.1 million LGBTQ+ adults rely on SNAP-EBT. This is 18% of LGBTQ+ adults in comparison to 14% of non-LGBTQ+ adults. Trans youth are also at higher risk to be unhoused, which in turn creates more food insecurity, making SNAP crucial. However, trans people are also discouraged from registering for SNAP because of discrimination experienced in the application process requiring photo ID (which may out them and/or deadname them). Further, earlier this year the Trump Administration enacted their “One Big Beautiful Bill” that made it even more difficult to register for SNAP benefits, which hurts everyone needing this assistance but especially marginalized people — specifically immigrants.
Students at UCLA (and at universities across the country) are no stranger to food insecurity, exacerbated by the pricing of meal plans and living around Los Angeles or around campus. In a 2024 UCLA-CSUF study, “39% [of UCLA students surveyed] reported being food insecure.” UCLA Community Programs Office (CPO) has been implementing the UCLA CalFresh Initiative to support Bruins facing food insecurity to access SNAP prior to this failure of federal support. CPO’s food closet also offers community members free food and is expanding services to provide more consistent access to food. BruinDine, a student organization, distributes free meals to community members in Student Activity Center’s basement conference rooms Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10 pm.
The UCLA Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) is also offering a short term support program for students impacted by the CalFresh funding cuts, but ECRT is always a resource for students facing food insecurity. As of November 4, ASUCLA is offering assistance to community members with $7 vouchers to the Ackerman Union UCLA store for people who receive CalFresh.
While grocery stores have been banned from offering discounts to SNAP recipients, many restaurants, organizations and companies are stepping up to support their local communities during the shutdown by offering free meals and often delivery to anyone registered with SNAP. Food banks, like the Los Angeles Regional Food Banks, their partners, Westside Food Bank and more, are also a critical space of refuge receiving an influx of support from state and local government.
Unfortunately, food banks don’t meet the needs of all recipients due to food allergies, dietary restrictions, and general access barriers. Further, food banks generally do not have the capacity to meet the needs exacerbated by the SNAP funding crisis. Low- and no-income people and families need consistent, stable access to food. While the federal government continuously fails to work for the people (even outside of the government shutdown), marginalized communities come together to meet people’s needs. It is not a moral or personal failing to need support: we must rely on each other to survive.
Support these organizations if you have the means (time or money). If you need support, reach out to these resources. Most importantly, listen to what community members need.