Hoping to ease pressure on area food banks and secure $1.8 billion in federal funding, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to create a special unit to boost enrollment in the state’s CalFresh food stamp program.

Supervisors Hilda Solis, Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl approved the move on the same day President Donald Trump’s proposed budget was released. The president’s budget reportedly calls for $191 billion in cuts to food stamp programs nationwide over 10 years. Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Kathryn Barger were absent.

Trump’s budget plan appears to threaten the food assistance program, the supervisors said, adding that $1.8 billion in federal funding is at risk if there isn’t 100 percent enrollment among county residents in CalFresh.

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In their motion, Supervisors Kuehl and Hahn called on the county’s Department of Public Social Services to create a unit with existing staff to develop ways to increase participation in CalFresh.

They want the department to improve the enrollment process and customer service, plus increase enrollment by 20 percent in two years.

“The CalFresh Program is the first line of defense against poverty and food insecurity for low-income families and communities,” Kuehl said. “This motion helps ensure that the county is doing its part in ensuring that residents can put nutritious food on the table and lead healthy lives.”

Los Angeles County ranks among the lowest counties in the state in the number of participants enrolled in CalFresh, more commonly known as food stamps. The county’s participation rate is 66 percent, or 1.1 million people, compared with the state average of nearly 70 percent. Most participants are families with children. At least 700,000 more people may be eligible to receive the EBT or Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, county officials have noted.

San Bernardino County’s participation rate is almost 93 percent, according to state data.

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The supervisors also said increased participation will result in a $2.1 billion bump in economic activity in the county.

More participation in CalFresh will lead to higher grocery sales and therefore, higher employment, said Michael Flood, president of the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.

Flood said while employment is higher and the economy has improved since the recession, high housing costs drive many people to food banks. They would benefit from CalFresh.

But misconception about CalFresh continues, Flood added. Some people who are employed may qualify for the EBT cards. For example, a single person who earns a monthly net income of $990 may qualify for a CalFresh allotment of $194.

Social service officials have said some Los Angeles County immigrants who are eligible for food assistance programs don’t take advantage of them because they fear enrollment will lead to deportation or hurt their chances of becoming permanent U.S. citizens. That contributes to low enrollment, they said.

Solis said she hopes the Department of Social Services will raise awareness among immigrants who are legal residents and qualify for the EBT cards.

“So many families with green cards are not wanting to enroll,” Solis said. “Many have children in school. They are reluctant to sign up.”

The annual CalFresh Awareness campaign, held in May by the Department of Public Social Services, helps low-income families and individuals buy fresh food with an EBT card in stores, farmers markets and participating restaurant chains. U.S. citizens and legal residents are eligible to apply for the CalFresh program.

Known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the program serves 44 million people and cost $70 billion last year. The program saw a jump during the recession. Flood said half of those who benefit from the program are children and seniors.