As relief and recovery efforts continue in Western North Carolina following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the start of USDA disaster-specific food aid in the form of a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to individuals and families in the impacted areas. This program is designed to give temporary aid to those negatively affected by Hurricane Helene so they can access the food they need.
People living in the 25 far western counties of North Carolina (excluding Cherokee County), as well as those members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719, may apply to receive D-SNAP benefits this week (October 21-24). To be eligible, individuals and families must have suffered loss/damages either to property or income, have proof of identification and residency, and not currently be receiving FNS or SNAP benefits. Certain income limits apply. Applying for D-SNAP benefits can be done over the phone by calling the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. – noon on Saturday and Sunday. More information can be found here at NCDHHS D-SNAP Information.
What does this mean for food pantries in Western North Carolina?
As folks in Western North Carolina continue to deal with the effects of the catastrophic storm, access to nutritious food may become an increased need. Whether families or individuals are coping with loss or damage to property, many are dealing with impacts on their income as many businesses were literally and metaphorically swept away. Food pantries and Food Banks will continue to be vital suppliers of nutritious food. However, now they can become vital information sharers and bridges for folks to access D-SNAP benefits who might not previously have been considered eligible for FNS and USDA assistance.
Applications for D-SNAP benefits are limited to in-person applications or via phone call through Thursday, October 24, unless an extension is offered. It is important to inform potential applicants to bring proof of identification and residency, as well as proof of damage/loss and other income-related materials when they apply to expedite the process. Below is a list of the in-person locations.
Individuals and families may apply in person on weekdays from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and on weekends from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 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 Health and Human 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
625 Harper Ave., Lenoir, NC 28645
Catawba County: Catawba County Department of Social Services
3030 11th Ave Dr SE, 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 Health and Human Services (DSS)
330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, NC 28052
Haywood County: Haywood County Health and Human Services
157 Paragon Pkwy #300, Clyde, NC 28721
Henderson County: Blue Ridge Commons Shopping Center
2111 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28739
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 Health and Human Services Agency, Human Services Building
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