SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) — The legal battle over SNAP benefits has left many people wondering where their next meal will come from, including one Bay Area couple already facing challenges because of their disabilities.
Pedro Alvaraz and Maryanne Escobar of San Leandro are engaged and should be planning a wedding right now. Instead, they’re more concerned about the money they need to buy food.
“I bought her some roses, some chocolates from See’s and a Teddy that said be mine forever,” Alvaraz said.
Live updates: Impact of government shutdown on Bay Area, California SNAP benefits
They are among the millions who’ve lost their SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown.
“It’s been kind of rough…I don’t think it’s fair for me, and it’s not fair for all the people that’s going through what they’re going through,” Alvaraz said.
Alvaraz said this is his first time not receiving SNAP benefits, but luckily they have helping hands.
Maryanne Escobar’s sister Jessica Escobar is her primary caretaker.
“Very stressful, trying to come up with the money, trying to figure out what we’re going to do,” Jessica Escobar said.
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She even set up a GoFundMe for the couple.
“I posted it and it went live and in less than 24 hours, our first donor was $500,” Jessica Escobar said. “We got emotional and then you feel guilty too, that we were covered while other people weren’t. So you kind of feel a little bit, you feel a little sadness.”
This comes amid the legal battle over SNAP benefits as the Trump administration demands states “undo” any efforts to payout full benefits. This comes on the heels of a Supreme Court judge halting a lower court’s order to start full payments back up despite the shutdown.
“It’s an emotional roller coaster because then you feel relieved. and then you hear that the administration is fighting against having to pay out, and you just feel deflated,like what do you do next?” Jessica Escobar said.
Maryanne Escobar says she is worried about how they and others are going to get food as time passes. Meanwhile, the ring on her finger is a hopeful reminder of better days ahead.
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