More than 1 million North Carolina residents could soon lose access to food aid after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to delay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The delay is the result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1. While October benefits were not impacted, there is a risk that November benefits will not be issued on schedule.
The USDA also announced Friday that it would not use approximately $6 billion in federal contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits running through November. It further added that states would not be reimbursed for any funds used to cover the benefits.
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein urged the USDA to maintain funding.
“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 press release.
Stein slammed the Trump administration’s refusal to disburse the contingency funds to prevent a disruption to SNAP benefits.
“The administration’s refusal to use these available funds as temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is a cruel abdication of the responsibility to support families and communities,” Stein said. “Congress owes it to the American people to return to the negotiating table and come together to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, and ensure stability for hardworking people across our state and country.”
North Carolina issues between $230 million and $250 million in SNAP benefits each month, with Stein’s press release noting benefits will be issued once federal funding is restored.
North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said state leadership knows how vital the benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families across the state.
“Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits,” Sangvai said. “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.”
Approximately 600,000 North Carolina households that receive SNAP benefits have a child, senior, or an adult with a disability in their homes. In total 1.4 million North Carolina residents rely on the benefits, and more than 80% of those who receive them are working.
The cuts to benefits will also affect more than 580,000 North Carolina children.
The NCDHHS also lacks funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, which will affect more than 262,000 people. The program provides nutritional support for young children, pregnant women and new mothers, including baby formula and healthy food.
The NCDHHS has said it’s doing everything it can to reduce the impact, and beneficiaries are encouraged to continue to apply for their SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time.
