The State of North Carolina has been doing a lot during the pandemic to make life easier on those who receive Food and Nutrition Services benefits from social services departments across the state.

On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced even more help: Recipients will see a temporary increase in their benefits.

The maximum amount for households receiving benefits will increase by 15 percent until June 30, 2021, according to the department’s Jan. 5 press release.

In that release, NCDHHS Deputy Director for Economic and Family Services David Locklear stated the obvious reason for the bump in benefits.

“We know that COVID has created additional hardships and increased food insecurity for children and families,” Locklear said. “We want to do everything possible to support North Carolinians who need help buying food – and increasing benefits for hundreds of thousands of families will be instrumental in meeting that need.”

Food and Nutrition Services, which was once better known as the “food stamps” program, is a food assistance program that provides help buying food for low-income families. Benefits are issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer cards called “EBT” cards.

The increase will end on June 30, 2021 and benefit amounts will return to their existing levels. Those who are using the state’s Food and Nutrition Services can find out the amount of their benefits by visiting http://www.ebtedge.com, clicking on “More Information” under the “EBT Cardholder” field.

They can also download the ebtEDGE mobile app to get the information or call 1-888-622-7328 on the day that they would normally receive benefits.

If you want more information about the Food and Nutrition services program, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps.

 

 

 

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