Memorandum
Date: November 4, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rachael Dillman Parsons, Social Services Director
Subject: EXTRA ITEM: (a) Consideration of “extra” agenda item; and (b) Consideration of recommendation to approve administrative funding to provide hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay in the amount of $40,000 per week for two weeks, $80,000 total; and (c) Consideration of recommendation to establish an Ad-Hoc Work Group for hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay
Executive Summary:
(a) This item is being submitted as an “extra” agenda item. The justification for this request to consider an item not on the posted agenda is as follows:
This item came to my attention subsequent to the posting of the current agenda and there is a need to take action before the next agenda. As your board is aware, CalFresh benefits for the month of November 2025 are delayed due to the federal government shutdown. On Monday, November 3, 2025, under court order, USDA agreed to use remaining SNAP/CalFresh contingency funding. Contingency funds are not enough to cover full November benefits. USDA will be sending states a table to use to distribute partial November benefits. California’s statewide CalFresh benefit issuance systems will need to be reprogrammed for partial issuance. These partial SNAP/CalFresh benefits may not be issued until Mid-November, or later. In Lake County $2.9 million per month in CalFresh benefits are issued to 10,333 families, 16,320 people, at an average of $287.49 per family; 46% are children, 18% are elderly, and 4% are disabled. CalFresh benefits normally issue to families between the 1st-10th of the month, with approximately 1/10th of families (1,033 families) getting their benefits each day. Families that turn in a report late get their benefits on the 11th of the month. Once partial November 2025 CalFresh benefits issue, the rest of November 2025 benefits will not be issued until after the federal government shutdown ends. December 2025 CalFresh benefits could be delayed if the shutdown continues into late November. There is a need to address immediate food instability for CalFresh recipients in Lake County.
(b) I am recommending your Board consider allocating administrative funding of $40,000 per week for two weeks, $80,000 total, to provide hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay. Discussion will include, but not be limited, to fiscally responsible approaches to relieve hunger, and collaborative efforts with local service organizations.
(c) I am recommending your Board establish an Ad-Hoc Workgroup on hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay. Discussion will include, but not be limited to, role of Social Services, role of County Administration, and delegation of Board Member(s) to the workgroup, identifying action items and/or updates that may be expected at the November 18, 2025, Board Meeting, as well as other directions to staff as your Board deems appropriate.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: _$80,000 __ Amount Budgeted: ___$0___ Additional Requested: _$80,000 ___ Future Annual Cost: ____$0__
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
(a) I request that the Board take action by motion to accept this item for consideration as an “extra” agenda item.
(b) I request that the Board take action by motion to approve administrative funding to provide hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay in the amount of $40,000 per week for two weeks, $80,000 total.
(c) I request that the Board take action by motion to establish an ad-hoc workgroup for hunger relief due to SNAP/CalFresh benefit delay.