More than 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could face delays in receiving their November benefits if the federal government shutdown continues, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.
NCDHHS said it was directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Oct. 10 to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits because federal funding has not been authorized.
While October benefits are unaffected, the agency said it has not received the federal funds needed to distribute the next round of assistance, which typically totals between $230 million and $250 million per month statewide.
The USDA also informed states on Oct. 24 that it would not use its roughly $6 billion in contingency funds to cover November benefits, nor would it reimburse states that use their own money to fund SNAP. Governor Josh Stein sharply criticized the decision, calling it “a cruel abdication of responsibility.”
“I am urging the USDA to take immediate action to prevent more than 1.4 million North Carolinians — including children, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families — from going hungry,” Stein said in a statement. “As temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, families deserve stability, not uncertainty.”
State Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai said the agency is preparing for the possibility of a delay and remains in communication with federal partners. “We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families,” Sangvai said. “We will continue processing applications and are ready to issue benefits as soon as federal funding is restored.”
SNAP serves more than 600,000 households across North Carolina. Four in five participants are children, seniors, or adults with disabilities, and more than 80% of recipients are working, according to NCDHHS.
The department also warned that funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may run out by early November without additional federal support. More than 262,000 North Carolinians depend on WIC each month for food, formula, and nutrition education. NCDHHS said it is exploring all options to sustain benefits if funding is not restored.
The federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a budget for the new fiscal year. More than one million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay, and the impacts are growing as the shutdown continues.
NCDHHS said it will post updates at ncdhhs.gov/shutdown and urged SNAP recipients to continue applying and renewing benefits, check their EBT balances, and contact 2-1-1 for immediate food assistance or local food pantry information.
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