If you’ve noticed an increase in your food stamp benefits this month, you’re likely not alone. For many residents in North Carolina, especially those in the western counties, extra food assistance has been provided in October 2024. This boost is primarily due to the impact of Hurricane Helene and the subsequent federal disaster relief efforts approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Let’s break down the reasons why you might have received these additional benefits.
Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief and SNAP Benefits
Hurricane Helene significantly impacted North Carolina, causing widespread power outages and disruptions. In response to this, the USDA approved several waivers and programs to ensure that families affected by the hurricane could still access essential food and nutrition. These initiatives are the main reasons behind the extra food stamps many are seeing this month.
Automated Mass Replacements: 70% Benefit Replacement
One of the most significant reasons for extra food stamps this month is the Automated Mass Replacements program. On October 6, 2024, individuals in 23 western North Carolina counties who are enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), also known as SNAP, and those who received Summer EBT (S-EBT) during September 2024, automatically received replacement benefits. This covered 70% of their total monthly September benefits, directly loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Alt text: North Carolina Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card used for food stamp benefits, symbolizing access to food assistance.
This mass replacement was implemented because power outages caused by Hurricane Helene made it difficult for people to access and use the food they purchased with SNAP benefits. The automatic nature of this replacement means you didn’t need to apply or take any action to receive these extra funds. Counties included in this automated replacement are: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP) for Hurricane Helene Victims
Another program contributing to extra food assistance is Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP). This program is specifically designed to help families in disaster-stricken areas purchase food when they have lost access to food or income due to a natural disaster. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, D-SNAP was approved for 25 western counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Alt text: Image depicting information about Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) eligibility and application process, highlighting food assistance for hurricane victims.
Phase one of the D-SNAP program began on October 18, 2024, offering food assistance to residents of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719. If you applied and were approved for D-SNAP, you would have received these benefits in addition to your regular SNAP benefits.
Hot Foods Waiver Extension
While not directly providing “extra” food stamps in terms of monetary value, the Hot Foods Waiver extension is another form of crucial food assistance. This waiver, initially approved and then extended through December 4, 2024, allows SNAP recipients in all 100 counties of North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to purchase hot, prepared foods with their EBT cards at authorized retailers.
Alt text: Image related to Hot Foods Waiver, illustrating the availability of warm meals for SNAP recipients using EBT cards during disaster recovery.
This is especially helpful for those still experiencing displacement or lacking cooking facilities due to hurricane damage. Being able to purchase hot foods ensures families can access warm meals even if they cannot prepare food at home.
Timely Reporting Waiver
Additionally, a Timely Reporting Waiver was approved and extended through November 5, 2024, for 24 western counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This waiver extends the usual 10-day reporting requirement for SNAP recipients to request replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost due to Hurricane Helene. This provides more flexibility for those who experienced food loss and need to report it to receive replacements.
In Conclusion
If you received extra food stamps this month, it is highly likely due to the disaster relief measures implemented in response to Hurricane Helene. The Automated Mass Replacements, D-SNAP, Hot Foods Waiver, and Timely Reporting Waiver are all designed to support North Carolina residents in accessing food and nutrition during this challenging time. These combined efforts ensure that families impacted by the hurricane receive the food assistance they need to recover and rebuild. For more detailed information about these programs and other resources, please refer to the resources section on the original announcement page.
