Policy and Advocacy

SNAP and WIC Update October 2025

Current situation

• The NC Department of Health & Human Services (NC DHHS) announced yesterday (see press release) that SNAP benefits will be delayed if the government shutdown continues.

• SNAP is the largest nutrition assistance program in the country, allowing recipients to purchase groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, breads, cereals, and seeds or plants that produce food. Eligibility is generally based on household income, size, and certain expenses, with most households needing gross income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level, though various exceptions and state-specific rules apply. The total number of Durham residents who receive SNAP benefits is 32,529.

• The USDA has directed NC DHHS to pause all November SNAP benefits starting November 1, 2025. This means no new SNAP benefits will be added to EBT cards in November unless federal funding is restored.
  • SNAP benefits that have already been issued can still be used.  Benefits will not expire due to the shutdown.
  • County Department of Social Services (DSS) offices are still open. They are still taking SNAP applications and continuing recertification services. All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time.
•  NC DHHS has funding for WIC benefits (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) through early November.  Federal funding may be available after this but is not currently guaranteed. NC WIC is still operational and remains open for business.

How to Help

1. Share accurate information

• NC DHHS has the most accurate and up-to-date information (note that information from other states may not apply to NC, please only share NC DHHS and Durham DSS info)
  • Monitor the NC Food and Nutrition Services homepage and NC WIC homepage for the most current public-facing information. 
  • Durham DSS will also post info on their website https://dconc.gov/Social-Services and social media channels.

2. Share resources to support families – These great programs offer crucial support to our community.

• Free school meals for ALL DPS students – Every DPS student can receive a free breakfast and a free lunch at school each day.  No application is needed. See and share attached flyer.
• Durham Area Food Resources Locator Map to help neighbors find food: https://durham-area-food-resources-durhamnc.hub.arcgis.com/
• List of food pantries (searchable and PDF versions, and in English/Spanish) can be found on End Hunger Durham’s website – https://www.endhungerdurham.org/food-pantries/
• Double Bucks – Do you receive SNAP, WIC, or live in Section 8 housing? Get double the food for your money at participating farmers markets with the Triangle Double Bucks Program (all market details listed on website). The Durham markets include  Durham Farmers’ Market, Black Farmers’ Market, South Durham Farmers’ Market, North Durham Farmers’ Market. See and share attached flyer.
• Durham Community Fridges – FREE & open 24/7 – Need food right now or can’t get to a pantry?  Visit one of the Durham locations. Learn more here and on Instagram @durmcommunityfridges

3. Support our Emergency Food System – We know that SNAP provides 9 meals for every 1 meal provided by a food bank/food pantry.  This means that our already strained emergency food providers need extra help to support our community.  You can support them by donating money or food and/or by volunteering.

• The Food Bank of Eastern & Central NC supports many of our food pantries and is a great place to offer your help.  Here is the  FBECNC donation link and more FBECNC giving and volunteer information
• Interfaith Food Shuttle and PORCH Durham also provide food to local pantries including school pantries. You can support them by donating money or food and/or by volunteering.
• Meals On Wheels provides food to homebound adults and seniors. Please support them as their need is increasing as well.
• Support your neighborhood food pantry or organization. Reach out to your local food pantries, the Durham Community Fridges, mutual aid groups, and other organizations to ask how you can help.  Monetary donations are always needed.  Please ask what is needed before donating food.
• • • Keep an eye out for food drives. Many groups are organizing them to support neighbors.

How to Stay Informed and Share Your Voice

This situation is still changing. Below are resources to learn more and get involved.

• USDA communication and response –
  • This is the USDA Directive (10/24/25) to hold Nov. SNAP benefits and the USDA Memo (10/24/25) to state agencies
  • This is Attorneys General letter (10/24/25) sent the same day in response to USDA directive. It is written by 25 AGs (including Jeff Jackson in NC) and questions the legality of the USDA decision.
• “A Behind the Scenes Look at SNAP”  – This FRAC post describes step-by-step how SNAP benefits are authorized and issued
• Webinar -Thurs. 10/30 at 3:00pm  –The 2025 Government Shutdown: What’s at Stake & What’s Next by the Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Action alerts and sign-on letters
  • MomsRising
  • FRAC
  • National WIC Association

TAKE ACTION: Oppose cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) and the school meals program

Learn more about why we need to protect school meals and SNAP by visiting the Food Research Action Center and the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA)

Remind all of your elected representatives of the importance of protecting these programs! Use this link to provide your representatives with a reminder of how many people in their districts are impacted by these programs. 

Write or call you senators – Thom Tillis and Ted Budd.