$40 Million for Food Assistance is Announced and Assembly Member Santiago Responds

(Sacramento, CA) – Following the announcement of the May Revise which includes $40 million for an updated implementation timeline for food assistance access for undocumented Californians who are 55 and older, Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement:

“Too many families are facing impossible choices between paying for food and paying for rent and bills. In the world’s fourth largest economy, no one should go hungry, it is as simple as that,” said Assembly Member Santiago.

“That is why I am pleased to see $40 million in additional funding for the California Food Assistance Program so all Californians 55 and older in need can access food, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented essential workers were here for us during the pandemic and kept our state moving, we must be here for them.”

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago secured $35 million in the 2022-23 State Budget to expand California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) access to low income Californians ages 55 and older, regardless of their immigration status. Unfortunately, the Governor’s January Budget proposed to delay this expansion from 2027 to 2025. Recognizing the urgent need for food assistance, Assembly Member Santiago urged for an explanation for the expansion delay from the California Department of Social Services. With the announcement of the May Revise, the CFAP expansion to undocumented seniors is projected to begin in 2025.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization. He also sits on the Assembly Committees on Public Safety, Health, HigherEducation and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 54th District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.

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