Dear Neighbor,

I’d like to start by extending my personal thanks to all the veterans in Senate District 33 who served our nation with courage, dignity, and honor. This upcoming Veterans Day, I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank the veterans in your lives and reflect on the sacrifices they made in service to our country.

As we enter the holiday season, many of us are focused on family, community, and gratitude. With that, it is important to care for our community members that are impacted by ongoing federal shutdown. From delays in food assistance programs to disruptions in vital federal services to neighbors going without pay, the shutdown has serious implications for Californians. My office will continue to share resources that address the needs of our communities and ensure that families across our state are supported during this challenging time.

CalFresh Update

Due to the ongoing federal shutdown, CalFresh benefits that would have been available beginning November 1^st for November 2025 have been delayed. On October 31^st, two federal courts ordered the federal government to, at minimum, partially fund CalFresh benefits for November. The California Department of Social Services will continue updating their FAQ page with information on how the federal shutdown is impacting CalFresh and when November benefits will be available. For immediate food assistance, please find resources on my website here. For additional information regarding the federal shutdown, visit my shutdown FAQs page.

Community Harbor Tour

SD 33 Staff and Constituents on the Harbor Tour

I was thrilled to host over 100 community leaders and members on a special Halloween Harbor Tour of the Port of Long Beach. It was inspiring to bring together so many people to learn about our region’s economic engine and celebrate the spirit of collaboration that makes our harbor and our communities strong. Thank you to the Port of Long Beach for hosting us!

2025 MOLAA Legacy in Motion

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara accepts the LEGADO Award on Senator Gonzalez’s behalf

I am honored to be recognized by the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) with the LEGADO Award for my work as a public servant and champion of the Latino community. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to equity, opportunity, and representation. Thank you to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for graciously accepting this award on my behalf, and to MOLAA for celebrating the legacy and contributions of our community.

 

Changes to Medi-Cal

Many of you have reached out to my office to inquire about changes coming to the Medi-Cal program in 2026 and 2027. While most Californians will see little change to their current benefits, new eligibility updates are coming soon — especially for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status. Please take a moment to review the upcoming changes here. For more information, or to receive help understanding your health coverage options, the Health Consumer Alliance provides information on Medi-Cal changes and legal services related to health coverage. 

Covered California Open Enrollment for 2026

Covered California has launched its “Connectors to Coverage” campaign to kick off open enrollment for 2026 health coverage, which began on Saturday, November 1^st. Actions taken at the federal level to end Enhanced Premium Tax Credits are raising premiums for people across the nation. Negotiations to reopen the federal government are tied to extending these tax credits – without congressional action, premiums could nearly double for 1.7 million Californians. This year’s state budget included $190 million for state-funded tax credits that would offset the increase for the lowest income Covered California enrollees. However, the state cannot entirely replace the federal tax credits. For more information, click here to read the full press release and here to learn more and enroll in Covered California.

Upcoming Events, Resources & More

Visit our resource corner for information on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving events in Senate District 33 and resources for the holiday season.

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, don't hesitate to get in touch with my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here. 

Sincerely, 

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District