Western North Carolina families who rely on food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), will not receive their monthly benefits on their normal schedule starting November 1, 2025.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced the delay late Monday, confirming the dire warnings first reported by wnctimes and other outlets. The ongoing federal government shutdown has officially created a funding crisis, halting the distribution of approximately $240 million in food aid to more than 1.4 million North Carolinians, including thousands of households across the WNC mountains.
Crucially, there is no date for when this funding will be restored. Benefits will remain delayed until the federal budget impasse is resolved in Washington.
The Current Situation: A Delay with No End Date
The state is using the term delay, with the hope that benefits will be issued once federal funding is restored. However, officials are being clear that the benefit deposits will be stopped indefinitely, starting November 1:
No Federal Funds Received: NCDHHS has not received the necessary federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute November benefits.
Contingency Funds Denied: The situation intensified when the USDA announced it would not utilize approximately $6 billion in available federal contingency funds to keep the SNAP program running through November. Furthermore, the USDA will not reimburse states that attempt to cover the cost using their own funds.
NC DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai: "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."
Local WNC Governments Informing Residents
Local Departments of Social Services (DSS) across WNC are coordinating with the state, issuing urgent alerts to residents about the disruption and the unknown end date for the delay.
County DSS offices remain open and are processing applications, recertifications, and interviews as normal. However, even new approvals will not receive benefits until the federal funding is released.
The unified message from local officials is to check your EBT balance and seek community resources immediately to prepare for the gap.
The Policy Choice: Funds Found for Other Programs
A key element of this funding lapse is the administration’s decision regarding its discretionary authority. While the USDA is blocking the use of SNAP contingency funds, the administration has successfully found and repurposed funds to continue other priority programs during the shutdown:
WIC Funding Secured: Earlier this month, the White House announced it would use tariff revenue to provide hundreds of millions of dollars to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), preventing an immediate lapse in those benefits. WIC funding, however, is also expected to run out in early November.
Other Programs Funded: The administration has also successfully diverted funds to maintain payroll for active-duty military personnel, the Coast Guard, and certain law enforcement agencies.
Governor Josh Stein publicly urged the federal government to use the available SNAP contingency funds, noting that the ability to find alternative funding streams for other programs demonstrates that an administrative solution is possible. The Governor called the refusal to fund SNAP a "cruel abdication of the responsibility" to support families.
Critical Facts for WNC SNAP Recipients
If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, please note the following immediately:
Working Households Affected: More than 80% of people receiving SNAP benefits in North Carolina are working individuals and families. (Source: NCDHHS)
October Benefits are SAFE: Any funds already loaded onto your EBT card from October or prior months are safe and can still be used. They will not expire. Use your existing balance sparingly to prepare for an unknown gap.
November Benefits are DELAYED INDEFINITELY: No new funds will be deposited starting November 1. Plan for a temporary loss of food purchasing power.
WIC Program is AT RISK: Funding for the WIC program could run out in early November. Contact your WIC clinic for the latest update on benefit eligibility and appointments.
The Local Impact and Call to Action
The sudden disappearance of hundreds of millions of federal dollars will create an immediate and overwhelming strain on local resources in Western North Carolina. More than 580,000 children and four out of five participating families (which include a child, senior, or person with a disability) statewide depend on this aid.
Food banks and pantries in our region are preparing for an unprecedented surge in demand but have limited capacity to fill the entire gap left by the federal program.
Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank (serving 16 WNC counties): "For every meal we provide, SNAP provides nine. We can't make up the difference, and philanthropy can't replace government support."
Need Immediate Food Assistance?
If you are facing a food emergency due to this delay, please consult the resources below:
MANNA FoodBank Food Helpline (WNC): Call or text 828-290-9749 (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.).
WNC Community Resource Referral: Dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org to be connected with local food pantries, community meal sites, and other essential services (available 24/7, in multiple languages).
EBT Balance Check: Use the ebtEDGE app, visit ebtEDGE.com, or call 1-888-622-7328.
For a detailed guide on what this means for your EBT card and tips on conserving your current balance, please refer to our previous report:
Looming Crisis: WNC Families Face Loss of Food Aid as Shutdown Threatens November SNAP Benefits https://wnctimes.com/article/looming-crisis-wnc-families-face-loss-of-food-aid-as-shutdown-threatens-november-snap-benefits
WNCTimes
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