The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is announcing a one-day extension for people in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties to apply for benefits through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help them buy food for their families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the extension following feedback from the counties that requested the one-day extension for in-person applications. As of Wednesday, more than 105,000 individuals had been approved to receive D-SNAP benefits.
Those who pre-registered for D-SNAP in any of the 25 counties through ePASS.nc.gov by 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2024, but were unable to reach the call center to complete their interview, will receive a call from DSS officials by Nov. 1 to complete their application. NCDHHS asks those who have pre-registered to anticipate a call between now and Nov. 1 at the phone number they provided in the pre-registration application. The number calling may be from outside their local area code.
"Our commitment is to support individuals and families impacted by the catastrophic damage Hurricane Helene left behind," said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Susan Osborne. "We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to use every resource we can to help our western communities heal, recover and rebuild."
People who live in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties now have until Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to apply in person for D-SNAP benefits at the D-SNAP location in their county. To be eligible, a person must have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income; have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available); have income and resources below certain levels; and not currently be receiving benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services program.
Anyone who is in line by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, will be able to complete their application and interview on Friday. The D-SNAP Virtual Call Center will not be available after Oct. 24, 2024, at 4 p.m. The benefits are good for up to nine months. Benefit cards will be mailed overnight to the address specified in the application.
As previously announced, people in 25 western counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719 were able to apply for D-SNAP benefits from Oct. 18 to Oct. 24, 2024. Application windows and times are set and approved by the USDA. While there are income eligibility standards, a number of considerations are taken into account to determine eligibility. A family of four is eligible for approximately $975.
D-SNAP Locations for People Who Live in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, and McDowell counties:
Alexander County Department of Social ServicesAlexander County DSS Office604 7th St. SW Taylorsville, NC 28681
Buncombe County Health and Human ServicesMain Buncombe County DSS Office40 Coxe Ave. Asheville, NC, 28801
Haywood County Health and Human ServicesHaywood County DSS Office157 Paragon Parkway #300Clyde, NC 28721
Macon County Department of Social Services 183 Holly Springs PlazaFranklin, NC 28734
McDowell CountyMcDowell County YMCA Gym: Bottom Level348 Grace Corpening DriveMarion, North Carolina 28752
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