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The state Department of Health and Human Services announced today (Monday) that the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.
More than 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million individual North Carolinians are due to receive SNAP benefits in November, DHHS said. Four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP and more than 80 percent of people receiving SNAP benefits are working.
Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This critical program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children.
NCDHHS is currently exploring all options to maintain these benefits if NCDHHS does not receive federal funding for WIC. If the state chooses to use its own funding for SNAP benefits, that would be a $230 to $250 million expenditure
On Oct. 10, NCDHHS was directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal shutdown. While October benefits are not impacted, this federal inaction means there is a significant risk that November benefits will not be issued on their normal schedule. As of Oct. 27, NCDHHS has not received the necessary federal funding for the program.
Columbus County Health Director Daniel Buck said last week that funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has been secured for November. WIC is a different federal fund than SNAP.
The USDA sent guidance and a notice to states on Friday announcing it would not be using the roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds available to keep the SNAP program running for November. The notice also explained that the federal government would not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits in North Carolina represent about $230 million to $250 million each month.
NCDHHS officials said they will stay in close communication with federal partners and will issue SNAP benefits to beneficiaries as soon as federal funding is provided.
“We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families in every corner of our state,” said N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits. We will continue to process applications and stand ready to issue benefits as quickly as possible once we receive authorization and funding from our federal partners
The benefits are frozen due to the ongoing standoff between Republicans and Democrats over the federal budget. At the direction of President Donald Trump, Republicans have refused to return $1 trillion of funding to foreign aid programs and federal programs cut by Trump. Democrats refused to vote on a continuing resolution or a new budget until the funds for foreign aid, immigrants and other programs have been returned. The administration has paused or reduced many federal programs, and more than a million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay.
NCDHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians, Sangval said. The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families who rely on these programs. DHHS is providing the latest updates on the www.ncdhhs.gov/shutdown website.
NCDHHS is providing the following guidance for people who depend on food and nutrition benefits:
Continue to Apply and Renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County DSS offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.
Check Your Balance: Any benefits currently on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).
If you or your family is in immediate need for food resources, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. You can also visit the NCDHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.
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