Ongoing federal shutdown puts North Carolina food assistance in jeopardy

NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — As the government shutdown continues, North Carolina families are being notified of the potential disruptions to food assistance.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) received a letter from federal officials indicating that benefits for the Food and Nutrition Services, including SNAP, may not be issued on their normal schedules or in their usual amounts.

In Catawba County alone, 10,730 households—representing 22,149 individuals—currently receive $3.4 million in food assistance benefits each month. According to NCDHHS, more than a million North Carolinians experience food insecurity, including one in six children. Eighty percent of families participating in SNAP in North Carolina include a child, senior, or adult with a disability. 

“We understand how critical these benefits are to the individuals and families we serve,” said Micah Ennis, Director of Rowan County DSS. “In Rowan County, we distribute an average of $3.5 million in FNS benefits to over 20,000 residents every month. A disruption of this scale will not only impact household food security but also ripple through our local economy.”

Charlotte-area food pantries are also bracing for an increase in demand amid the shutdown. Local agencies are hopeful that nonprofits and faith-based organizations will come together to help ease the anxiety that some families are likely feeling.

Aside from the impact on local families, grocery stores and major chains like Walmart rely on SNAP purchases, which make up an estimated 11-18 percent of total sales. This could lead to major disruptions to local economies across North Carolina.

Officials in Rowan and Catawba counties are notifying residents of resources they can use if the shutdown persists.

Catawba County

• Check your FNS balance using the ebtEDGE mobile app or by calling the number on the back of your EBT card. 
• Catawba County Public Health’s Community Health Workers are available to help families find and use available resources to help meet their needs for essential services that address food, housing, health care and other needs. To request their assistance, visit Catawba County Public Health’s web site.  
• Find local food and housing resources by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting NC211.org. NC 211 is available 24/7, in multiple languages, to connect residents with local food pantries, meal programs, and essential services.  In addition, you can visit this link on the United Way resources page, as well: https://www.ccunitedway.com/catawba-county-food-resources
• For more information on FNS benefits and federal shutdown updates, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/fns. 

Rowan County

• Check your EBT balance using the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of your EBT card.
• Seek local assistance through:
  • NC211 – Dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org to connect with food pantries, meal programs, and other essential services. Available 24/7 and in multiple languages.
  • Community Resource List – Rowan County DSS is working with local nonprofits to compile and share a list of available food resources online at www.rowancountync.gov/foodpantry.
• Work First Cash Assistance is currently funded through November.
• LIEAP auto-payments will be processed, but no additional funds are available at this time.