SNAP Benefits Update: Partial Payments Distributed to NC Families

North Carolina families began receiving partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits on their EBT cards as of Friday morning. Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that approximately half of the November funds had been distributed, with some recipients seeing up to 65% of their benefits.

This temporary relief comes amid a broader context of food insecurity that affects 1.4 million SNAP recipients in the state, including 580,000 children, as reported by ABC11. Typically, SNAP benefits are loaded onto EBT cards on the first of each month, but due to a lawsuit filed by Jackson and other states against the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, the situation has changed. The USDA has allocated $4.65 billion in emergency funds to cover about half of the federal SNAP program for November, as Jackson explained in a news conference.

He emphasized that while this is a positive step, the state is still negotiating for full benefits. According to WCNC Charlotte, full benefits could potentially be added to EBT cards as soon as this weekend, following the USDA's announcement that it would fully fund November SNAP benefits.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, or NCDHHS, has been working diligently to process these payments, especially after receiving initial guidance to distribute benefits at a 35% reduction from maximum allotments.

This has left many households in a precarious situation, with around 190,000 of them receiving just $16 or less on their EBT cards. NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai remarked on the critical nature of SNAP for families and individuals, recognizing the urgent need for food assistance during these challenging times.

In response to the partial payments, recipients have expressed mixed feelings. Julie Rappleyea, a SNAP recipient from Durham, shared her relief that she would have enough food for her children, while Eshawney Gaston, also a SNAP recipient, voiced frustration over receiving only partial benefits.

Gaston underscored the necessity for improved wages and worker protections, highlighting systemic issues that contribute to food insecurity. The ongoing federal government shutdown adds another layer of complexity, impacting food assistance and other programs.

As noted by WFMY News 2, the shutdown has led to a political stalemate, complicating the distribution of aid to states like North Carolina as they navigate federal guidelines. North Carolina officials are committed to ensuring families receive the food assistance they need, with Governor Josh Stein thanking NCDHHS for their rapid response in getting funds onto EBT cards.

The situation remains fluid, and recipients are advised to stay updated through NCDHHS communications as they await further guidance on the full distribution of benefits.