Hurricane Helene Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Flexibilities

Last Updated: October 14, 2024

Timely Reporting Waiver – Approved  


Extended: FNS has approved North Carolina's extension request on the timely reporting waiver approved on Oct. 1, 2024, that waived the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to Hurricane Helene beginning on Sept. 26, 2024. This waiver will be in effect through Nov. 5, 2024. The waiver applies to Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  

Disaster-SNAP – Approved

People in the following 25 western counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP):  Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties; members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.  Phase one of the program will begin on Oct. 18, 2024. Find out more about D-SNAP eligibility and how to apply

Hot Foods Waiver –  Approved

 
Extended: Due to the severe damage caused by the flooding and the continued displacement of victims as attested to by the State agency, FNS approves the State agency’s request to extend this waiver through Dec. 4, 2024, in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. FNS will notify authorized SNAP retailers regarding the extension date for this waiver. FNS participants can temporarily use their benefits to purchase hot food, including food prepared for immediate consumption, from authorized Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) retailers using their EBT card. This ensures families who are not able to prepare food at home due to displacement or power outages can still access warm meals.  You can use this map to find state retailers accepting EBT. Read more about the Hot Foods Waiver.

Automated Mass Replacements – Approved

On Oct. 6, 2024, people in the following 23 western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene who are enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services and those who received S-EBT (SUN Bucks) during September 2024 received replacement benefits on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards due to power outages as a result of the hurricane: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties.

The United States Department of Agriculture approved North Carolina to allow current FNS participants and those who received S-EBT during September in the 23 NC counties to receive 70% of their total monthly September benefit back on their EBT card. The benefit replacement is automatic and does not require action from the FNS and S-EBT participants. This impacts more than 200,000 people in North Carolina and totals more than $24 million in replacement benefits. Read more about Automated Mass Replacements.

Resources

Find information about the FNS program, or visit epass.nc.gov.

Find information about the WIC program for women, infants, and children under 5. Read important information for people enrolled in WIC who are impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Find information about additional food and nutrition resources.

For information regarding Hurricane Helene and additional resources and flexibilities in place, please go to ncdps.gov/Helene and ncdhhs.gov/helene.  

There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.