The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced an additional day for residents of five counties to apply for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). This extension will assist families in purchasing food in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. According to the official press release on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the affected counties include Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, and McDowell.
With over 105,000 individuals already given the green light for D-SNAP benefits, the extension comes as a response to community feedback. Citizens who have pre-registered through the state website, but were unable to complete their application, are assured that Department of Social Services (DSS) officials will reach out by November 1 to finalize the process. Susan Osborne, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being, stated, "Our commitment is to support individuals and families impacted by the catastrophic damage Hurricane Helene left behind." She emphasized the department's continued efforts to work with federal and local partners in the recovery mission.
Eligibility for the program requires proof of identity and, when possible, proof of residency. Applicants must have suffered hurricane-related losses, such as property damage or income loss, and meet certain income and resource criteria. It's important to note, however, that current beneficiaries of the Food and Nutrition Services program are not eligible for D-SNAP. Applications can be submitted in person until 4 p.m. today, and anyone in line by that time will be seen.
The extension does not affect the Virtual Call Center which closed on October 24 at 4 p.m. However, the benefits from D-SNAP can last up to nine months, offering a critical lifeline for those in need. After applications are processed, benefit cards will be dispatched to the specified address via overnight mail. The five counties now have until the end of the business day, to apply in person at their respective D-SNAP locations. A family of four, for example, is eligible for approximately $975 in assistance.
Initially, between October 18 and October 24, residents of 25 western counties, including members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians residing within the 28719 zip code, had the opportunity to apply for D-SNAP benefits.
