North Carolinians can expect full SNAP benefits by Friday after days of uncertainty.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says full November SNAP benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards by Friday morning, ensuring roughly 600,000 households receive their complete allotment after days of uncertainty caused by the federal government shutdown.

The announcement follows swift action in Washington, where both the U.S. House and Senate approved a resolution late Wednesday to reopen the federal government. The USDA issued updated guidance Thursday allowing states to distribute full benefits.

Governor Josh Stein praised state officials for moving quickly.
“I am grateful to NCDHHS for working around the clock to ensure North Carolinians get their full November benefits as quickly as possible,” Stein said. “People will be able to go to the grocery store this weekend to purchase the food they need to keep their loved ones healthy and strong.”

NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said staff began processing payments immediately after receiving federal authorization.
“As soon as we received authorization from the federal government, we immediately began working to get benefits out to the nearly 1.4 million people who depend on SNAP to keep food on the table,” Sangvai said. “I am thankful that we will be able to make food benefits available on Friday, and to our team for their unwavering commitment to fight hunger.”

For weeks, SNAP distribution nationwide had been unclear, with shifting USDA guidance and lawsuits challenging the decision not to use federal contingency funds to sustain the program. North Carolina signed onto one of those legal challenges.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the court ruling helped ensure families receive all November benefits.
“It was wrong and unlawful for the federal government to use our children as political pawns during the shutdown,” Jackson said. “Now that the government has reopened and we’ve won our case against USDA for breaking the law, North Carolinians will get the rest of their November SNAP payments.”

On Nov. 7, after initial USDA instructions, NCDHHS issued only partial benefits—about 65% of the maximum allotment—to more than 586,000 households. Those who typically receive the maximum saw a 35% reduction, while others received even less or no benefits at all due to the program’s formula. All impacted households will now receive the full amount by Friday, and some will get their November benefits earlier than usual. December benefits will be issued on the normal schedule.

NCDHHS is updating its website with new information and FAQs and is communicating directly with affected households. SNAP recipients are encouraged to check their EBT balances through the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of their card.

Anyone needing immediate food assistance can call 2-1-1 or visit the NCDHHS food access webpage to find nearby resources.