On Monday afternoon, Oct. 27, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) announced that the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) –once known as “food stamps” – will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.
There appears to be little to no progress in the shutdown situation: The Democrats are refusing to vote to open up government until Republicans are willing to restore some Affordable Care Act benefits that are due to expire later this year, while Republicans are refusing to even talk to the Democrats and have taken a hard my-way-or-the highway stance.
On Friday, Oct. 10, NC DHHS was directed by the US Department of Agriculture to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits in response to the federal government shutdown. While October benefits for those on the program aren’t being affected, state officials say that federal inaction means there’s a “significant risk that November benefits will not be issued on their normal schedule.”
As of October 27, NC DHHS hadn’t received the federal funding necessary to pay for the program in November.
Also, the US Department of Agriculture, which handles food and nutrition services, sent guidance and a notice to states on Friday, Oct. 24, stating that the department wouldn’t be using the roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds available to keep the SNAP program running in November.
That notice also explained that the federal government would also not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits.
In North Carolina, SNAP benefits amount to about $240 million every month.
This week, state social services leaders said they will stay in close communication with their federal partners and that North Carolina will issue SNAP benefits to beneficiaries the instant the federal funding pipeline is flowing again.
On Monday, NC Governor Josh Stein pleaded publicly with the federal government to make those emergency funds available.
“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,” the governor said. “Specifically, USDA can deploy federal contingency funds and prevent a disruption of SNAP benefits on November 1. 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. 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.”
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai also weighed in.
“We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families in every corner of our state,” Sangvai said. “Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits. 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.”
According to state officials, over 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million North Carolinians were due to receive benefits to help put healthy food on their tables in November.
Also, four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP include either a child, a senior, or an adult with a disability. State officials say that there are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina who rely on SNAP and more than 80 percent of the people who get SNAP benefits are working.
A statement from NC DHHS explains that North Carolina doesn’t have the money to even cover those families with pregnant women and newborns.
“Additionally, NC DHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC),” the statement reads. “This critical program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. While it is possible the federal government may allocate additional funding, at present there is no certainty that funding will be received. NC DHHS is currently exploring all options to maintain these benefits if NC DHHS does not receive federal funding for WIC.”
The government shutdown, which looks like it could run well past 35 days – the previous longest shutdown – may end up being the longest in history. The current shutdown began on Oct. 1, 2025, after Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. With the shutdown, the federal government has paused or reduced many federal programs – and more than a million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay.
State leaders say that, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts will be on struggling North Carolina residents.
“NC DHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians,” the statement reads. “The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families who rely on these programs. We are committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on the www.ncdhhs.gov/shutdown website.”
NC DHHS is offering the following guidance for people who depend on the food and nutrition benefits:
- Continue to Apply and Renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County social services offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.
- Check Your Balance: Any benefits currently on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com – or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).
- If you or your family is in immediate need for food, you should call 2-1-1 to be connected with your local resources such as food banks. You can also visit the NC DHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.
