The continuing federal government shutdown is impacting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The NC Budget and Tax Center estimates that 34% of households receiving SNAP benefits in NC have at least one family member with a disability.
Update from NCDHHS:
“Due to the federal government shutdown and guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), November benefits were not issued on time. On Nov. 3, 2025, the USDA announced it would use emergency contingency dollars to fund a portion of the SNAP program for the month of November, following a lawsuit. On Nov. 7, following initial guidance from the USDA, partial November SNAP benefits were distributed at approximately 65% of the normal maximum allotment for over 586,000 households. Households that typically receive the maximum amount saw their benefits reduced by 35%, while those who normally receive less experienced even deeper reductions. Thousands of households received no benefits at all due to USDA’s SNAP benefit formula. NCDHHS is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update partners and beneficiaries. Any benefits currently on your EBT card are available to use. Beneficiaries should check the balances on their cards by going to ebtEDGE.com.”
Appeals court rules Trump administration can be forced to pay full SNAP benefits
Please refer to the resources below to locate places to find food and how getting help could affect your SSI benefits. Please know you’re not alone.
*If you are in a position to help, please consider donating to the groups listed below.
Where to find food
- NC 211– Dial 2-1-1 or visit org to connect with local food pantries, meal programs, and other essential services. Available 24/7 and in multiple languages.
- Where to find free food in Asheville, WNC amid pause of SNAP benefits
- Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
- Food Bank of the Albemarle (Northeast NC)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC (Fayetteville and Southeast NC)
- Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (Greater Triangle Region)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (Greater Charlotte area)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (Greater Triad area and Northwest)
- MANNA Food Bank (Western NC)
- Food Access Maps | NCDHHS
- Homepage – Feeding the Carolinas
- https://www.corafoodpantry.org
- Find Food In Wake County | Wake County Government
- Find Food in North Carolina | Ways to help food banks, your neighbors and children get hot meals, stock their pantry – ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
- Dónde obtener ayuda alimentaria gratuita en Carolina del Norte en 2025
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has made a guide to help you find other resources and understand how getting help could affect your SSI benefits.