CalFresh benefits, more commonly known as food stamps, will be issued early, on March 1, to ensure that members of eligible households don't go hungry.
February benefits were issued early to avoid a potential gap in payments related to the federal government shutdown, so county officials want to make sure there's not too long a lag between the February and March payments. Benefits are typically staggered from the first to the 10th day of each month.
However, the Department of Public Social Services wants families to understand that the early payout does not represent additional benefits.
Officials urged recipients to budget carefully to make sure they have enough food for the entire month.
CalFresh provides assistance to nearly 4 million Californians, half of whom are children. It is the nation's largest nutrition assistance program and serves more than 1 million Los Angeles County residents.
Households due to be recertified as eligible in February must submit paperwork by Friday to receive benefits by March 1.
Payments will return to a normal staggered schedule in April.
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More information is available by calling the Department of Public Social Services Customer Service Center at (866) 613-3777.
