Yes, North Carolina is providing extra food stamps, officially known as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits, to residents in October 2024 due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. Several waivers and programs have been approved to assist individuals and families affected by the hurricane, ensuring access to food during this challenging time.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved North Carolina for various forms of disaster food assistance. These measures are designed to help people in specific counties who have been impacted by power outages and food loss as a result of Hurricane Helene.
One key initiative is Automated Mass Replacements. Approved on October 6, 2024, this program provided replacement benefits to individuals in 23 western North Carolina counties. Those enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services and people who received S-EBT (SUN Bucks) in September 2024 automatically received 70% of their September benefits back on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This automatic benefit replacement, affecting over 200,000 North Carolinians and totaling over $24 million, requires no action from recipients. The counties included are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties.
This measure ensures that families who experienced power outages and food spoilage due to the hurricane can quickly replenish their food supplies. The automated nature of the replacement is designed for efficiency and to get help to those who need it most without delay.
Additionally, North Carolina has secured a Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP) program. This program, specifically for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, allows residents in 25 western counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to apply for food assistance. Phase one of the D-SNAP program commenced on October 18, 2024. The eligible counties for D-SNAP are Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties, as well as members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.
Furthermore, a Hot Foods Waiver has been extended through December 4, 2024, for all 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This waiver permits SNAP recipients to use their EBT cards to purchase hot, prepared foods from authorized Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) retailers. This is particularly helpful for individuals and families displaced by the hurricane or those without power to cook at home, ensuring access to warm meals.
To further support residents, a Timely Reporting Waiver has been approved and extended through November 5, 2024. This waiver applies to 24 western counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and waives the usual 10-day reporting requirement for replacing food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost due to Hurricane Helene, starting from September 26, 2024. The counties covered under this waiver are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
These combined efforts represent significant food assistance for North Carolina residents this month, providing crucial support to those recovering from Hurricane Helene. For more detailed information, individuals can visit the official North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) resources. If you need help or someone to talk to due to the hurricane’s impact, you can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or dial 988 for the 988 Lifeline.
