By Becky Long
Publisher
The story is fluid and seems to change daily, but for those looking for their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits there may be a glimmer of hope for millions including the 1,416 participants in Clay County.
On Tuesday the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services received guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue “partial benefits for November, according Tuesday’s news release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“NCDHHS is updating its payment system according to USDA’s specifications to prepare to issue benefits. If federal funding is provided this week as expected, NCDHHS expects all partial benefits to be loaded onto EBT cards by next week, so beneficiaries should check the balances on their cards often.”
The total benefit amount issued in September for Clay County was $234,656, according to Clay County Social Services Director Todd Goins.
The move follows USDA’s statement it would use $4.65 billion in emergency funds to cover about half of the federal SNAP program for the month of November in response to a lawsuit filed by North Carolina and 24 other states.
“SNAP is more than a benefit – it is a lifeline. It helps children grow, supports working families, and ensures older adults and people with disabilities can put food on the table,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “While we are encouraged by the decision to require the use of emergency funds, the fact that families will receive only partial benefits, is troubling. Food is foundational to health, dignity, and opportunity. We must focus on the people we serve and ensure that programs like SNAP are protected from further disruption.”
Goins said he has received calls about SNAP benefits at the local office. He said he provides local resources for food assistance, which include the Clay County Food Pantry, Matt’s Ministry, First Free Will Baptist Church, among others.
“Additionally, we are monitoring the needs of our Senior citizens. We have an active and thriving Meals on Wheels program here in Clay County that Becky Grindstaff administers at the Senior Center,” said Goins. “ My understanding is that funding for the Meals on Wheels program is secure until December 2025 and I am hopeful funding will be opened back up by that time. We are told at this time that these services can continue as usual.”
Thus far, the WIC program and Medicaid programs are not expected to be affected by the government shutdown.