Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown.
The action is being taken to protect the 1.4 million North Carolinians—including nearly 600,000 children—who face a halt in their food assistance benefits. This would mark the first time SNAP benefits have ever been delayed, despite the USDA possessing at least $6 billion in contingency funds specifically appropriated by Congress for emergencies.
“Nearly 600,000 children in our state could be without food in a few days because USDA is playing an illegal game of shutdown politics,” stated Attorney General Jackson. “They have emergency money to help feed children during this shutdown, and they’re refusing to spend it. I warned them last week that I would take them to court if they tried to hurt our kids, and today that’s what we’re doing.”
A Sudden Reversal in Policy
The lawsuit highlights a key reversal in the USDA's stance on the use of emergency funds. Just before the shutdown on September 30, the USDA had assured states that contingency funds were available to continue the SNAP program. However, on October 24, the department issued a memo ordering states to suspend all November SNAP payments.
The AG's office points out that since the shutdown began, the USDA has successfully used its authority and moved funds to support other programs, including nutritional benefits for infants and pregnant women. The lawsuit argues that the agency's decision is in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the SNAP Act.
North Carolina SNAP recipients, who receive an average of $175 per person monthly, are facing devastating consequences. Governor Josh Stein and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai voiced their strong support for the legal action.
“The federal government is denying access to food for more than 1.4 million North Carolinians, including children, veterans, and people with disabilities,” said Governor Josh Stein.
Multi-State Coalition and Legal Demands
Attorney General Jackson is not acting alone. North Carolina is one of 25 states and the District of Columbia participating in the coalition lawsuit. He is filing alongside the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have also joined the action.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to require the USDA to pay out the SNAP benefits and to cancel the agency's "unlawful orders" to the states. A temporary restraining order is also being filed to ask the court to immediately turn benefits back on.
Resources for North Carolinians
In the face of this funding uncertainty, state officials are directing North Carolinians to local resources for immediate food assistance:
Find a Food Pantry: Use the search tools provided by Feeding America or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s food finder tool.
Call 2-1-1: This United Way service can help connect individuals with local food assistance programs.
Local DSS: Contact your county’s Department of Social Services for information on additional food assistance programs.
NCDHHS: View food access maps from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Citizens are also encouraged to donate to local food pantries and community organizations to help neighbors in need during this time.
WNCTimes