Bill > AB221

This bill would require the California Department of Social Services to provide a food assistance benefit to low-income California residents, regardless of immigration status, by contracting with nonprofit entities. The bill would require the department to procure prepaid cards for the food assistance benefit and ensure their availability to the nonprofit entities. The nonprofit entities would be responsible for distributing the prepaid cards, which would be preloaded with $600, to eligible individuals who self-attest that they are eligible for the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program. The bill would also require the department, in consultation with a workgroup, to author a report providing recommendations and solutions for a permanent food assistance program for low-income California residents experiencing food insecurity. The bill would be operative upon appropriation and would be repealed on January 1, 2025.