Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
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.
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 Services
Alexander County DSS Office
604 7th St. SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681
Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Main Buncombe County DSS Office
40 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC, 28801
Haywood County Health and Human Services
Haywood County DSS Office
157 Paragon Parkway #300
Clyde, NC 28721
Macon County Department of Social Services
183 Holly Springs Plaza
Franklin, NC 28734
McDowell County
McDowell County YMCA Gym: Bottom Level
348 Grace Corpening Drive
Marion, North Carolina 28752
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.
Resources
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Frequently Asked Questions
English, Spanish
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Flyers
Simplified version: English, Spanish
Full version: English, Spanish
D-SNAP social media images
English: Facebook/X (zip file), Instagram (zip file)
Spanish: Facebook/X (zip file), Instagram (zip file)