Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

People living in 25 western NC counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

To be eligible, applicants 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)
  • Not currently receive benefits through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). People receiving FNS can also get extra help to buy food but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application.
  • Certain income and resource limits may apply.

Apply for Benefits

Pre-registration is available beginning Oct. 15.

Eligible households can pre-register online for assistance three days before the program starts by using the ePASS pre-registration tool at epass.nc.gov. Once online pre-registration is complete, applicants will be issued a confirmation number.  When the application period begins on Oct. 18, people who pre-registered will need to call 1-844-453-1117 to complete an interview to apply.

Beginning Oct. 18 - 24, 2024, eligible households may apply for D-SNAP by phone or in person.

  • To apply by phone, call the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday and Sunday. To manage call volumes, individuals are asked to call on their assigned day based on their last name:
    • 10/18: A-G
    • 10/19: H-M
    • 10/20: N-S
    • 10/21: T-Z
    • 10/22: Open to all
    • 10/23: Open to all
    • 10/24: Open to all
       
  • People may apply in person on weekdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the following locations:
    • Alexander County: Alexander County Department of Social Services
      604 7th St SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681 
    • Alleghany County: Emerson Black Building
      1375 Hwy 21 N, Sparta, NC 28675
    • Ashe County: Ashe County Department of Social Services (main office)
      150 Government Circle, Suite 1400, Jefferson, NC  28640
    • Avery County: Avery County Library (Basement) 
      150 Library Rd, Newland, NC 28657
    • Buncombe County: Buncombe County Department of Social Services (main office)
      40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801
    • Burke County: Burke County Department of Social Services  
      700 E Parker Rd, Morganton, NC 28655
    • Caldwell County:  Former Walgreens Building
      621 Harper Ave., Lenoir, NC 28645
    • Catawba County: Catawba County Department of Social Services  
      3030 11th Ave Dr, Hickory, NC 28602
    • Clay County: Clay County Department of Social Services  
      119 Courthouse Dr, Hayesville, NC 28904
    • Cleveland County: Cleveland County Schools Bus Garage
      300 Kemper Road, Shelby, NC 28152
    • Gaston County: Gaston County Department of Social Services  (main office)
      330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, NC 28052
    • Haywood County: Haywood County Department of Social Services 
      157 Paragon Pkwy #300, Clyde, NC 28721
    • Henderson County: Living Waters Baptist Church
      1284 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • Jackson County: Jackson County Department of Social Services 
      15 Griffin St, Sylva, NC 28779
    • Lincoln County: Lincoln County Department of Social Services  
      1136 East Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092
    • Macon County: Macon County Department of Social Services  
      183 Holly Springs Plaza, Franklin, NC 28734
    • Madison County: Madison County Department of Social Services  
      5707 US Hwy 25-70, Suite 1, Marshall, NC 28753
    • McDowell County: McDowell County YMCA gymnasium (bottom level)
      348 Grace Corpening Drive, Marion, North Carolina 28752
    • Mitchell County: Mitchell County Department of Social Services  
      347 Longview Dr, Bakersville, NC 28705
    • Polk County: Polk County Department of Social Services  
      231 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756
    • Rutherford County:  Isothermal Community College (ICC)
       Foundation Performing Arts Center, 286 ICC Loop Road Spindale NC 288160
    • Transylvania County: Transylvania County Library (Rogow Room)
      212 South Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712
    • Watauga County: Watauga County Department of Social Services  
      132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite C, Boone, NC 28607
    • Wilkes County: Wilkes County Department of Social Services  
      304 College St, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
    • Yancey County: Burnsville Town Center
      6 South Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714 
    • Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Residing in 28719:
      • Qualla Boundary, Qualla Boundary, 1526 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC 
      • Jackson County DSS, 15 Griffin St., Sylva, NC 28779