1.4 million in NC on track to lose SNAP in November amid shutdown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- State warns 1.4 million SNAP recipients may face November benefit delays.
- NCDHHS says WIC funding could run out, threatening support for 262,000 people.
- Local food banks, DSS offices and nonprofits mobilize to assist families during gap.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is warning that November benefits for 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be delayed.
In a news release Monday, Oct. 27, the department noted that while October benefits remain unaffected, the state has not received the required federal funding to issue November payments on their usual schedule.
A disruption in benefits could affect more than 143,000 Mecklenburg County recipients, the largest number of any county in North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. An additional 83,000 people in Wake County alone could be affected by the cuts, a representative for the county told The News & Observer.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is affected by SNAP cuts in NC?
According to NCDHHS, roughly 580,000 children depend on the program, and more than 80% are working adults. Monthly SNAP payments in the state range between $230 million and $250 million, the department says.
The release also warned that the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), which supports more than 262,000 people in North Carolina, could run out of funding soon if federal aid isn’t secured.
What can you do if you lose access to SNAP benefits?
If a government shutdown impacts SNAP or WIC benefits, people who rely on them have a few options to get help, including local food banks, local government hotlines that can provide assistance, and community organizations and nonprofits.
Check out the Observer’s guide on food assistance in North Carolina for more information.
NC suing Trump administration over food assistance
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the Trump administration ahead of the November block, The News & Observer previously reported.
The federal lawsuit — filed jointly with several other attorneys general and a few governors — targets the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget, calling on them to release funding for November food stamp benefits.
The USDA “has broken the law in a way that will create really severe consequences for a lot of vulnerable people,” Jackson said Tuesday, Oct. 28 in a phone interview with The N&O.
He said that as of Sept. 30, the USDA had indicated it would be willing to use emergency funds to keep SNAP running. But a few days ago, the agency sent a letter reversing course, saying it would cease funding for the program.
Can you still apply for SNAP during the shutdown?
Yes. Local Departments of Social Services are open, and you can apply in person, by mail or online at epass.nc.gov. For more information, check out the NCDHHS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
How can I help during the shutdown?
You can help by volunteering at local food banks, donating food, time or money.
For more information, check out the Observer’s guide to volunteering at food banks in the Charlotte area, and the News & Observer’s guide to food banks in the Triangle.
Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Anna Roman contributed to this report.
This story has been updated.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 2:40 PM with the headline "1.4 million in NC on track to lose SNAP in November amid shutdown."
