As you may have heard, due to the government shutdown, SNAP/FNS benefits have been suspended for the month of November 2025. NCDHHS will notify SNAP/FNS participant households and individuals by text message, social media posts, and news coverage to share updates on the suspension and provide community resources for finding food assistance. Below you will find the most current update about what this entails for you and your family:
Current benefits important notes:

• This pause only affects new November benefits and does not take away any benefits already on your card.
•  Households can view account details using the free ebtEDGE mobile app or by calling the EBT Customer Service number on the back of the card.
• Households can still use their EBT card and current benefits at retailers and grocers that accept SNAP/EBT in North Carolina.
• Applications submitted on or before October 31, 2025, and approved through normal processes will be eligible to receive prorated benefits through the month of October 2025, even if the approval of the application happens after October 31, 2025.
• The USDA has indicated that households will receive retroactive benefits for November 2025 once the suspension is lifted.

What DSS will be doing during the November pause:

• DSS will continue to receive new SNAP applications, process recertifications, and change reports.
• DSS will continue the ongoing determination of the eligibility of applicant households
• All counties will continue normal operations for application processing, including expedited service applications, and complete recertifications in compliance with federal and state policies.

What SNAP recipients and applicants must do during the pause:

• The suspension of benefits does not change eligibility, verification, or reporting requirements. SNAP recipients must continue to respond to requests for verification information and/or documents and report changes of circumstances that may affect benefits.
• Recertification periods remain unchanged. Households must respond to and complete their recertification within normal recertification periods and deadlines. Do not ignore recertification notices or messages.

For help applying for SNAP/FNS in North Carolina, please call More In My Basket toll-free at 1-855-240-1451.While you wait for the benefits to start again, the following local resources may be able to assist you during times like this:

Food Banks

For those needing immediate help with food, food banks are a great short-term solution until long-term ones, such as approval for SNAP/FNS benefits, are in place.

To find food banks available in your area in North Carolina,
visit: www.feedingthecarolinas.org/find-food/

All you need to do to find a list of food banks is select your zip code, city, or address, and select “Get Help.”

NC 211

NC 211 is a free and confidential referral service provided by United Way. When families and individuals reach out to NC 211, all they need to do is inform them where they live to receive a list of available local resources.

You can contact them by calling 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162.

You can also find full lists of services on their website at www.nc211.org. Just select what type of resource you are looking for (shelters, health, food, etc.) and then indicate what city you live in.

NC State Extension Offices

North Carolina Extension is a vast network, working to provide research-based programs in agriculture, food, 4-H Youth Development, health, and well-being for all North Carolina residents. NC Extension is supported by NC State University and NC A&T. Extension has 101 offices across the state: one in every county of North Carolina and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Staff and volunteers work with local governments to support agriculture, horticulture, conservation, environmental protection, nutrition and health, and a variety of consumer, youth, and economic concerns. To find an Extension office near you, visit: ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center

Guilford County Office Blessing Box

guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/blessing-box

• This is a great way for community members to donate or take food and hygiene items as they need to. You are welcome to take from and give to this blessing box.

For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or to receive SNAP

Application Assistance contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org
English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451
Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105