Food Assistance

Food and Nutrition Assistance

Survivors of Hurricane Matthew who already receive North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services can apply for replacement benefits until Oct. 28, and may also use benefits to purchase prepared hot food until Nov. 30.

In addition, the state has been authorized by the  U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement the Disaster Supplemental Food and Nutrition Assistance Program in central and eastern North Carolina counties to assist people who have been impacted by Hurricane Matthew and may not normally qualify for SNAP assistance.

See below for more information on all three programs.

Disaster Supplemental Food and Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

• The state has been approved to implement the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in counties in central and eastern North Carolina to assist individuals who have been affected by Hurricane Matthew. 
• People who may not ordinarily qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be eligible for D-SNAP if they experienced disaster related expenses, such as loss of income, damage to property, relocation expenses, and in some cases, loss of food due to power outages.
• Eligible households receive one month of benefits, equivalent to the maximum amount of benefits normally issued to a SNAP household of their size.
• Individuals who already participate in the regular SNAP may be eligible for additional benefits under the D-SNAP.
• People in the initial 18 counties will have five days to apply for D-SNAP benefits. The application period is Oct. 22-26.
• Thirteen additional counties were approved Oct. 21. The application period for those counties is Oct. 27-31.
• Six additional counties were approved Nov. 2.  (Brunswick, Chowan, Currituck, Halifax, Pasquotank) Application period is Nov. 3-7.
• Eight additional counties (Anson, Carteret, Chatham, Hertford, Northampton, Perquimans, Richmond, Scotland) are approved Nov. 7.  Application period is Nov. 9-10 and 14-16.

Hot Food Waiver for Food and Nutrition Services Recipients

• Under a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (food stamps) recipients in all 100 N.C. counties may purchase hot food (examples of hot food include rotisserie chickens and hot dogs) prepared for immediate consumption from authorized Electronic Benefits Transfer retailers (locations where you currently purchase food).
• Under normal Food and Nutrition Services rules, hot food prepared for immediate consumption is not eligible for purchase at authorized retailers.
• Electronic Benefits Transfer retailers have been notified and are updating their systems to accommodate this change.
• The waiver will continue until November 30, 2016.

Replacement Benefits for Food and Nutrition Services

• Replacement Benefits are available for Food and Nutrition Services recipients who suffered food losses related to Hurricane Matthew.
• Contact your county Department of Social Services to report the loss and qualify for replacement benefits.
• You must request replacement benefits by October 28, 2016.

Dial 211 to speak with a trained call specialist about Hurricane Matthew assistance in your area; the service is free, confidential and available in any language.