When the government shut down in October, Sheila Jones’ life also hit pause.
The 61-year-old found herself in the same position as the clients she spent 26 years helping as a social worker, assisting those on the edge of a financial collapse while waiting for a frozen system.
Officially the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, it’s beginning to have immediate effects on everyday Americans.
Jones has been on temporary disability since February 2024 for both mental and physical health reasons. With a tight job market and her health declining, she began the long, tedious process of applying for permanent disability after realizing earlier this year that she couldn’t return to work.
“In my mind, I’m always thinking I’m gonna go back to work,” she says, recalling her desire to return to her profession.
After being denied disability benefits once, she appealed. October was supposed to be when she got an answer. But the government shutdown put that hope on hold. While the shutdown doesn’t directly affect disability benefits, the approval process has stalled because many workers have been furloughed.
“I’ve worked all these years. I’ve been paying into Social Security since I was 16,” she says, frustration heavy in her voice. “For them to deny me when I need it is ridiculous.”
Unemployment is now her only source of income, and her last check arrives on Nov. 10. After that, she has nothing steady coming in. On top of that, her CalFresh food assistance, her main source of groceries, is expected to stop at least through the start of November.
In late October, Jones was among the 270,000 Sacramento County residents who rely on CalFresh (SNAP) monthly to put food on their table who received notice that their benefits would be interrupted starting Nov. 1, another ripple effect of the government shutdown. Among that number are 90,000 children and almost 50,000 people over the age of 60.
“This is unprecedented,” says Ethan Dye, Sacramento County’s director of human assistance. “I’ve been with the department for 20 years, and this is the first time there has ever been a CalFresh disruption that even looks like this.”
The loss of CalFresh benefits will touch nearly every corner of Sacramento County. Dye says those on CalFresh have various circumstances and that the program serves a wide range of residents. Some are working individuals and families, others are seniors, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness.
Many recipients are employed but still struggle to afford groceries. Others rely on CalFresh while managing chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, or living off the fixed income of Social Security Disability.
“Folks don’t come to game the system,” Dye says. “Folks come into our offices and go through this process because they need help.”
Until the government opens, that help may not come when most needed.
A day before benefits were set to be interrupted, two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to issue payments to SNAP recipients while the government remains shut down. However, the administration says those funds are limited and can cover only about half of the usual benefits. It’s still unclear when those payments will be deposited into CalFresh accounts in California and those of similar programs in other states. Experts suggest that could take weeks, or even months.
According to the Sacramento County website that distributes CalFresh, once the federal government does reopen, it could take 4-5 days for people to see their CalFresh benefits. The county is directing residents in need to Food Finder to locate their nearest food assistance service.
Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom has fast-tracked $80 million to food banks across the state to help fill the gap left by the shutdown.
But for Sheila Jones, even if the food comes, more struggles remain. Since losing her husband, Jones has lived alone, supporting herself as best she can. Her son and grandchildren live nearby, but she refuses to let them carry her burden.
“I haven’t even shared it with him [her son],” she admits quietly. “I don’t want to put him in extra stress.”
Until the government moves to meet her full needs, Jones, a longtime Christian, says she has stopped depending on the system and turned instead to her faith.
“I still know my God is gonna come through,” she says, directing her eyes toward the ceiling.