ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 could soon affect food assistance for more than a million North Carolinians, state officials warned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has told state agencies that current funds are insufficient to guarantee full payment of November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits nationwide. In North Carolina, about 1.4 million residents — roughly 13 percent of the population — rely on Food and Nutrition Services, the state’s version of SNAP.

More than 46,000 North Carolina veterans receive SNAP benefits. According to the NC SNAP Map, participation rates in Western North Carolina include 11.6 percent in Buncombe County, 9 percent in Henderson, 11.7 percent in Transylvania, nearly 14 percent in Haywood, 24.3 percent in Madison, 16 percent in Yancey, 10 percent in McDowell, 11 percent in Polk and more than 21 percent in Rutherford County.

As of April 2025, about 29,123 Buncombe County residents were enrolled in SNAP, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

In an Oct. 10 directive, the USDA instructed states to pause the processing of November benefit files while it evaluates contingency options. Following that guidance, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said its NC FAST system will delay sending November issuance files to its electronic benefit contractor, Fidelity Insurance Services, until further notice.

The USDA is gathering data to prepare a potential contingency plan, NCDHHS said, adding that the agency is awaiting additional federal guidance on how November benefits might be affected. The USDA has not yet clarified whether it will cover state administrative costs beyond October.

October benefits are not affected. North Carolina households received their October payments as scheduled, and new applicants approved this month will still receive benefits. NCDHHS said it will continue processing October entitlements even if some applications are finalized after Oct. 31.

Residents can find updates on the NCDHHS website or check their balances through the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of their EBT card.

Gov. Josh Stein on Oct. 17 urged federal leaders to resolve the shutdown, warning that prolonged inaction will harm North Carolina families, veterans and Tropical Storm recovery efforts.

“The longer the federal government remains shut down, the more North Carolinians will be hurt — military and federal workers who deserve stable paychecks, millions of families and children struggling to put food on the table and folks in Western North Carolina who are counting on us for their recovery from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said in a statement. “Leaders in Washington must come back to the negotiating table to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing and ensure stability for hardworking people across the state and the country.”

Stein also criticized state lawmakers for failing to pass a comprehensive budget, leaving key programs and workers “in the lurch.”

Shutdown impacts (according to state officials)

Military and veterans: The state’s 841 National Guard members missed paychecks the week of Oct. 17, and pay for roughly 90,000 active-duty servicemembers and Guardsmen is at risk if Congress does not act by Oct. 31. Community college tuition assistance for military personnel may also be suspended.

Families and children: NCDHHS said funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program may run out by early November, with no assurance of additional federal support. More than 262,000 women and children rely on WIC in North Carolina.

Federal employees: Roughly 80,000 federal workers in North Carolina, including some in the Asheville area, are facing lost pay and uncertainty over when their next checks will come. State agencies have tried to minimize furloughs for federally funded positions, but that will become harder if the shutdown continues.

Western North Carolina recovery: Recovery from Tropical Storm Helene could slow as USDA disaster reimbursements to farmers are delayed. Home rebuilding, flood insurance and mental health support programs are also at risk.

Health care: Without congressional action to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, about 157,000 North Carolinians could lose coverage and another 888,000 could see their premiums double, state officials said. Rural residents would face the sharpest increases, with premium costs rising more than $1,000 annually in some counties, including Transylvania.

Help and resources

The state has launched JoinNC, a website connecting job seekers, including furloughed federal employees, with state employment opportunities through the Office of State Human Resources. Registration is open for the 2025 State of North Carolina Career Expo.

Furloughed workers can also explore temporary roles through Temporary Solutions, access the Employee Assistance Program for counseling or apply for unemployment benefits online or by calling 855-435-6969.

In Western North Carolina, MANNA FoodBank continues to provide food assistance through more than 200 partner pantries across 16 counties. MANNA is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief network.

Efforts to reach Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Rep. Chuck Edwards for comment about these issues were unsuccessful.