(LOS ANGELES) – City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced that her office, on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, joined more than 120 local governments and local government leaders across the country in filing an amicus brief opposing the federal government’s attempt to block food assistance for over 41 million Americans. Organized by the Public Rights Project, the local government coalition is urging the US Supreme Court to reject the federal government’s application for a stay and to ensure children and families can continue to have immediate access to the full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits they rely on for nutrition. This brief follows on the heels of the local government brief the City Attorney joined last week with the same national coalition in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The federal government is failing at least 41 million Americans, including at least 600,000 Angelenos, by denying them access to resources they need to make ends meet,” said LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “It’s unconscionable that the federal government has left millions of Americans with fear and uncertainty about where they will get their next meal. The City and our coalition partners will continue fighting to protect our residents to ensure they have the resources they need and deserve. Every day without benefits matters to those struggling to put food on the table, which is why this effort is critical even with a possible resolution to the shutdown on the horizon.”
The district court in Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order last week requiring the federal government to make full SNAP payments by Friday, Nov. 7. The federal government appealed the court’s ruling seeking an emergency motion to stay those benefits. When the First Circuit formally rejected the federal government’s request, they immediately filed with the Supreme Court.
You can read the brief here.
At least 600,000 Angelenos utilize CalFresh benefits - California’s version of SNAP. To support residents during this uncertain time, Mayor Karen Bass has shared the following information:
City-Provided Resources:
- FamilySource Centers operated by the Community Investment for Families Department provide weekly food distribution for low-income individuals and families regardless of immigration status. Click here to find a center near you.
- The Department of Aging provides a senior meal program. If you are a senior citizen over the age of 60, you may be eligible for free meals at a local senior center or through home delivery. For Information, call 1-800-510-2020 or email age.webinfo@lacity.org
- LA City Recreation & Parks Senior Citizen Centers continue distributing regular senior meals in coordination with the Department of Aging.
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Hydee Feldstein Soto is the 43rd Los Angeles City Attorney, elected in November 2022 and sworn into office in December 2022. Her team of nearly 1,000 legal professionals, including 500+ attorneys, carries out legal work for the City of Los Angeles at her direction and under her supervision. She is the first female City Attorney in L.A. history.