North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received partial payments on EBT cards on October 31, reaching over 586,000 households, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced.
Initially, SNAP benefits were reduced by 35% of the maximum allotment, leaving thousands of households with significantly lower or no benefits. NCDHHS is now working to expedite the distribution of the remaining funds. Around 190,000 households received $16 or less on their EBT cards, awaiting the full benefits.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein praised the department’s efforts, saying, "I want to thank NCDHHS for working around the clock to get money on people’s EBT cards today so they can buy groceries this weekend and feed their families," according to NCDHHS. Secretary Dev Sangvai echoed the appreciation, stating, "SNAP is a critical food assistance program for hard-working families, individuals, children, and seniors and I am grateful for how quickly our NCDHHS team was able to distribute the partial benefits to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who rely on SNAP."
Amid federal funding delays, NCDHHS has kept beneficiaries informed by maintaining updated SNAP and FNS web pages with details and an FAQ section. The department is encouraging users to regularly check their EBT balances through the ebtEDGE app, website, or by calling the customer service number for the most current information.
NCDHHS is advising individuals and families in need of immediate food assistance to keep their SNAP applications and renewals up to date, and to seek help from local food banks or by calling 2-1-1 for resources. These steps are intended to support households until full SNAP benefits become available.
