Federal Government Shutdown
What it Means for You
As of October 1, 2025, the federal government has shut down because Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. Many federal programs are paused or reduced, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed. This shutdown affects several programs run by NCDHHS that rely on federal funding. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts will become.
NCDHHS understands how the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families that rely on programs that are impacted. We are committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on this page as we learn more. There is still limited information from the federal government about when the shutdown will end or how funding will be handled going forward.
Latest Updates - November 4, 2025
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low‑income families buy groceries, however due the federal government shutdown and guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),November benefits were not issued on time. On Nov. 3, 2025, the USDA announced it would use $4.65 billion in emergency contingency dollars to fund about half of the SNAP program for the month of November, following a lawsuit filed by North Carolina and 24 other states. NCDHHS is waiting to receive its allocation of federal funding and then can work as quickly as possible to add partial benefits for November on EBT cards based on USDA's directive. If federal funding is received this week, beneficiaries may start to see funds on their EBT cards next week over several days. The delay in benefits is already impacting more than a million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP. NCDHHS is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update partners and beneficiaries, including next steps as we work to get partial benefits to people as quickly as possible.
Find more information about SNAP and FNS.
- SNAP in NC: There are 1.4 million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table. More than 600,000 households receive benefits each month and 4 in 5 families participating in SNAP in North Carolina have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP.
- SNAP in NC: There are 1.4 million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table. More than 600,000 households receive benefits each month and 4 in 5 families participating in SNAP in North Carolina have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food, formula, nutrition education and support for pregnant and new mothers and young children. If you rely on the WIC program, you will continue receiving benefits through the month of November. While it is possible that the federal government may allocate additional funds to extend these benefits, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past the end of November.
- WIC in NC: WIC currently serves approximately 262,000 women, infants and children who rely on the program for access to nutritious food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health care referrals.
- WIC in NC: WIC currently serves approximately 262,000 women, infants and children who rely on the program for access to nutritious food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health care referrals.
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps child care centers, adult day care centers, and afterschool programs serve healthy meals and snacks. Right now, there is funding to cover meals through the end of November.
- CACFP in NC: CACFP provides federal reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to approximately 118,000 children and adults in eligible childcare centers, family day care homes, adult day care centers, and afterschool programs.
- CACFP in NC: CACFP provides federal reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to approximately 118,000 children and adults in eligible childcare centers, family day care homes, adult day care centers, and afterschool programs.
- The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helps low-income households pay for home energy costs. LIEAP begins operations in December to a priority population that includes people ages 60 or older, or people living with a disability who are currently receiving services through the Division of Aging and receiving Food and Nutrition Services. If you are part of this priority group and received a LIEAP payment last year, you will be automatically approved again this year. If the government shutdown continues, no additional funding will be available, and new applications will not be accepted. Only those who are pre-approved will receive assistance.
- LIEAP in NC: This program provides heating, crisis and weatherization assistance. LIEAP serves more than 126,000 households in North Carolina.
News Releases
Nov. 4: SNAP Beneficiaries Will Receive Partial November Benefits
Oct. 30: Governor Stein Announces Nearly $18 Million in Contributions for North Carolina Food Assistance
Oct. 27: Disruption in SNAP Benefits in North Carolina as the Federal Government Shutdown Continues
Oct. 8: Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown in North Carolina