Board of Supervisors Call for Immediate Action to Respond to Impending Federal Funding Freeze Threatening Public Services for Thousands of LA County Residents

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In response to the Trump administration’s recent attempt to freeze billions in federal funding for critical social services, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and Board Chair Hilda L. Solis for the County to respond with a 14-days with a coordinated plan to urgently fight against the cuts and protect access to essential safety-net programs relied upon by thousands of County residents. The motion makes clear the County’s opposition to the unlawful funding cuts and directs County departments to develop a coordinated response plan within 14 days. The plan will outline actionable steps to confront the impending freeze, protect service continuity, and mitigate harm to residents who depend on these programs.

Today’s action by the Board follows a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to California and four other states announcing immediate restrictions on access to federal anti-poverty funds, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)—known in California as CalWORKs—the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). While a federal judge has temporarily blocked the funding freeze, the threat of disruption remains.

Supervisor Mitchell, whose office receives more than 1,500 calls each month from residents in urgent need of benefits, said, “We cannot and will not wait for the clock to run out. As the largest administrator of safety-net programs in the nation, Los Angeles County must stand against and plan for the devastating impact of this impending federal funding freeze. This is a man-made crisis. Under the guise of preventing ‘fraud,’ the federal government has issued yet another directive that is anti-immigrant, anti-Black, and harmful to working-class families.”

“Withholding federal funding from California families—especially children—is nothing short of despicable. Too many residents in Los Angeles County rely on programs like CalWORKs to make ends meet, and instead of fulfilling their obligation, the Trump administration is using our most vulnerable as political pawns. Make no mistake: Los Angeles County is committed to acting swiftly to protect families, assess impacts, and fight for the resources our communities need, while supporting the legal efforts of California and other affected states,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.

California receives approximately $5 billion annually through the affected programs. In Los Angeles County alone, more than 112,000 families rely on cash assistance, approximately 200,000 children could lose access to monthly support and subsidized childcare, and tens of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities depend on services supported by SSBG funding.

In addition to directing the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to assess the impact of any federal funding disruption on County-administered programs—including CalWORKs, childcare, and social services—the motion instructs County Counsel to identify all available legal actions, including participating in California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit or filing amicus briefs, and for public awareness and outreach to help keep residents informed on the facts and resources available.

Dr. Jackie Contreras, Director of DPSS, stated, “This funding freeze—should it occur—would have a devastating impact on the families, parents, and children we serve through CalWORKs. Along with our partners and stakeholders, we will work tirelessly to help families navigate this unprecedented action that needlessly puts their support and well-being at risk.”

Brandon T. Nichols, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, added, “The looming threat of federal funding cuts is deeply concerning. If the freeze goes into effect, the safety net supporting children and families will be weakened, jeopardizing their stability and well-being. Without access to quality community services, families may only come to our attention after challenges become unmanageable. I remain hopeful decision-makers recognize that fraud-detection systems in Los Angeles County are working and that social services reach those who truly need them.”

The Trump administration demanded, within 14 days, extensive eligibility and personal data from states, without evidence of wrongdoing and without following federal rulemaking requirements. On January 10, 2026, a federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing HHS from withholding TANF, CCDF, and SSBG funds, blocking a forced data-production request, and allowing funding to continue during litigation. The TRO is set to expire on January 24, 2026, unless extended or converted into a preliminary injunction.

“Any interruption of CalWORKs benefits would have catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable families in Los Angeles—those fleeing domestic violence, navigating job loss or illness, and striving to build stability through education and work,” said Yvonne Maria Jimenez, President and CEO of Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County. “Even a few weeks without these benefits could leave children homeless and hungry. We are grateful for the Board’s swift action to plan ahead and prevent harm.”

To read the full motion, click here. If residents who receive CalWORKs benefits have questions about their benefits, please contact DPSS at 866-613-3777. For general information on resources available, residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1.