Standing Together for SLO Families
In San Luis Obispo County, we believe in building a community where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and opportunity regardless of their income or background. Whether it’s a child needing a healthy meal, a senior requiring medical care or a working family striving for stability, we all benefit when our neighbors can thrive too. At United Way of San Luis Obispo County, our mission is to unite people and resources to improve lives and strengthen our community. For over 67 years, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with local partners to help residents meet basic needs and pursue brighter futures.
A Threat to Vital Programs
Today, that future is in jeopardy. A proposal in Congress—H.R. 1, or the “Big Beautiful Bill Act”—threatens to slash funding for vital programs like Medicaid, SNAP (CalFresh) and the Child and Earned Income Tax Credit. These aren’t luxuries. They are lifelines that help families stay housed, nourished and healthy.
This isn’t a partisan debate. It’s a matter of human well-being. These programs support our friends, our coworkers and our loved ones.
If passed, H.R. 1 would have a devastating impact across SLO County:
These programs are not handouts—they are investments in people. Medicaid helps individuals stay healthy enough to work. SNAP ensures children can focus in school instead of going hungry. Tax credits help parents remain employed and manage rising costs.
Consider Maria, a single mother raising her five-year-old daughter, who requires a special diet and monthly care for chronic asthma. Under this bill, Maria’s CalFresh benefits would be slashed in half—just as summer begins and her daughter loses access to free school meals. With rising food needs and shrinking resources, Maria is left to make impossible choices no parent should have to face.
We see the results every day. These supports reduce homelessness, lower emergency room visits, and strengthen our workforce. They are effective, and we cannot afford to lose them.
Central Coast: Congressional Districts 19 & 24
SLO County [population 281,639 (2023)] falls within both of these districts. District 19 includes parts of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties. District 24 includes all of Santa Barbara Country plus parts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.
| 437,755 | Residents rely on Medicaid (Medi-Cal) for health care |
| 233,000 | Adults at risk of losing health coverage by Medicaid work requirements |
| 218,050 | Working families benefit from the Child or Earned Income Tax Credits |
| 143,500 | Residents receive food support through SNAP (CalFresh) |
| 40,374 | Households receive food support through SNAP |
| 17,950 | SNAP households with children |
| 16,672 | SNAP households with older adults (60+) |
If H.R. 1 becomes law, we anticipate more residents in our community to reach out to us and other nonprofits in our area searching for assistance with food, shelter and medical care. Our local nonprofits are already doing what we can. Removing federal support would only deepen the crisis, especially as inflation continues to strain everyone’s budget.
This bill risks undoing years of progress and pushing families further into hardship. And it could affect anyone. A sudden illness, job loss, or caregiving responsibility can leave any family in need. This is about more than policy—it’s about people.
Your Voice Matters
We urge every reader to contact their congressional representatives today.
We urge every reader to contact their congressional representatives today. Tell them:
“I’m deeply concerned about the impact of H.R. 1 on my community. These cuts are too deep, too fast, and too dangerous. We need solutions that support—not punish—working families, children, and seniors.”
Find your representative at congress.gov/members/find-your-member
United Way of San Luis Obispo County will continue to advocate for policies that promote education, financial stability and health so all can thrive – because when one family succeeds, our entire community grows stronger.
But we can’t do it alone. Your voice matters.
Together, we can ensure our leaders prioritize people over politics and protect the programs that help our neighbors thrive.
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