North Carolina FNS beneficiaries can now use their EBT cards to buy hot meals, aiding those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

In response to Hurricane Helene, North Carolina officials have announced a temporary adjustment to the state’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. Starting October 4, FNS participants can use their benefits to purchase hot food items from authorized retailers.

This temporary measure will assist the nearly 700,000 households enrolled in the program across all 100 counties in North Carolina. The initiative is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to provide relief to those impacted by the recent storm.

About the temporary FNS adjustments

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is facilitating this change to ensure affected families have access to warm meals, particularly in areas experiencing power outages or displacement.

Governor Roy Cooper highlighted the importance of providing access to basic necessities, emphasizing the role of hot meals in offering comfort and normalcy during recovery. Secretary Kody H. Kinsley reiterated the department’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of North Carolinians during this challenging time.

Eligible FNS participants can purchase hot food prepared for immediate consumption using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card at authorized retailers. This flexibility will remain available until November 3, 2024, and does not extend to restaurants or non-EBT authorized vendors. NCDHHS also encourages participants to confirm with stores if they can process hot food purchases using their FNS benefits.

In addition to this measure, the state has obtained a waiver providing additional time for participants to report food loss due to the hurricane. NCDHHS is seeking further federal approval to automatically replace a portion of lost benefits and is working to implement a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for non-FNS recipients impacted by the storm, so stay posted.