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Murphy – Two federal judges ruled separately Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, using contingency funds during the government shutdown.
Following two court rulings, the Trump administration announced it will provide partial payments for November, which may appear on EBT cards early this month.
This use of emergency funds, which are sufficient for only half the amount necessary for full funding for one month, will exhaust the available reserves, potentially setting the stage for a similar situation in December if the shutdown continues. Any benefits that were already on EBT cards are still usable.
North Carolina’s SNAP benefit is administered by the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services.
“NCDHHS is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as soon as we receive information from USDA,” the agency said on ncdhhs.gov. “We are committed to issuing benefits as quickly as possible once we receive federal authorization.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture-run food aid program was set to be frozen starting Saturday due to a government shutdown caused by an impasse in Congress over budget funding.
The Associated Press said the process to reload SNAP debit cards often takes one to two weeks, although National Public Radio reported Tuesday morning that dealing with partial payments may require software updates and could delay distribution of SNAP benefits into December.
Various groups in Cherokee County were scrambling to fill the void left if SNAP funding was disrupted.
The Rev. Wil Posey of First United Methodist Church in Murphy, which hosted meetings among local groups mobilizing to raise funds and collect food amid the SNAP funding gap, said, “If the federal government shutdown continues, 2,300-plus families will lose food and nutrition benefits starting Nov. 1. That’s a loss of $720,000 in food benefits, and it is also money that goes into our local economy.”
State responds
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, joined by Attorney General Jeff Jackson, sued the USDA in late October to restore SNAP benefits after a federal funding lapse disrupted payments for more than 1.4 million residents in the state.
The lawsuit argues the USDA unlawfully refused to use its emergency contingency funds, which are legally available to cover regular benefits during such disruptions, and asks the court to force the USDA to pay the benefits and cancel the unlawful orders to states.
A federal court has since ruled in favor of the lawsuit, ordering the USDA to deliver a plan to pay the benefits, though the states are continuing to monitor the situation.
On Oct. 30, Stein announced that North Carolina will grant $10 million to local food banks across the state.
The state is joined by AmeriHealth Caritas, which will give $5 million; The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, which will accelerate $2.5 million from a previously announced $10 million gift; and other donors. The Division of Child & Family Well-Being, Community Nutrition Services Section, has received funding to carry it throughout November.
Feeding the hungry
SNAP provides monthly benefits to help eligible households buy groceries to maintain proper nutrition and health. Benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retail stores.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food & Nutrition Service in collaboration with state agencies.
Congress failed to fund the government before the fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, triggering the first government shutdown since 2019. The House of Representatives has approved a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Nov. 21. In the Senate, it takes 60 votes to approve a temporary spending bill – Republicans hold 53 seats – and Democrats say they won’t support such a bill unless Republicans agree, among other things, to extend expiring subsidies for Affordable Care Act premiums.
The USDA instructed states to delay sending the files needed to load November benefits onto EBT cards. The department also stated it would not use $6 billion in emergency contingency funds to cover the benefits for November. Some states have warned residents that payments may be delayed or halted beginning Nov. 1.
The USDA explained that the federal government would not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits in North Carolina represent about $230 million to $250 million each month.
Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children.
This program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. While it is possible the federal government may allocate additional funding, there is no certainty that funding will be received.
What to do
NCDHHS is providing the following guidance for people who depend on food and nutrition benefits:
- Continue to apply and renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County DSS offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.
- Check your balance: Any benefits on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).
- For help: If you or your family is in immediate need for food resources, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. You can also visit the NCDHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.