SNAP Funding to Fully Resume in Buncombe County

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now funded until September 30, 2026, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working to fully fund all recipients.

The more than 29,000 Buncombe County residents who rely on these benefits to purchase food will begin receiving all their funds once the state receives guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

SNAP recipients can check their funds using the ebtEDGE app at www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do, or call the number on the back of the card. For more information, recipients can review the frequently asked questions section on the state’s SNAP webpage at www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps. For questions, residents can call Economic Services at (828) 250-5500 or the One Buncombe Call Center at (828) 250-6100.

Full November SNAP benefits to hit EBT cards

Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) staff continued work during the government shutdown to update SNAP applications and process new ones, so funds could be quickly distributed to those in need once the federal government resumed funding the program. The County also bolstered its call centers to answer questions and provide timely information.

Additional Programs

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) remains fully funded.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provided one-time vendor payments in November. BCHHS is waiting for state guidance on funding for this program. Buncombe County residents in need of emergency energy assistance can apply for the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), which assists low-income households experiencing a heating or cooling-related emergency. Residents can apply for CIP online at epass.nc.gov, by visiting 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville, or by calling (828) 250-5500.

County Food Drive

The average SNAP benefit in Buncombe County is $171 per person and $344 per household each month. To support residents during the SNAP benefit disruption, the County launched a countywide food drive benefiting MANNA FoodBank and its partner pantries, which provide healthy foods free to the community.

As of Wednesday evening, the food drive collected more than 8,540 pounds of food, which translates to about 7,000 meals. Buncombe County leadership and staff thank everyone who stepped up and participated in this food drive. Your contributions helped provide a safeguard for families and individuals to access nourishing food while the federal government shutdown continued.

The food drive will run through Friday, November 21, 2025, at the BCHHS building at 40 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville, and at the Register of Deeds, and through Saturday, November 22, at all County libraries and Lake Julian Park. We are also encouraging residents to bring their non-perishables to Pack Memorial Library before and during the annual Asheville Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 22.

“We are grateful that the SNAP program is fully funded for the rest of this federal fiscal year, and we look forward to seeing stability restored to the families relying on these benefits,” said BCHHS Director David Sweat. “We appreciate the generosity of the people of Buncombe County stepping up to help us navigate this situation and support our neighbors through the countywide food drive.”

In addition, resources continue to be available:

• NC211: Call 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org for local food pantries and emergency food resources.
• NCDHHS Food Access page: Find nearby food pantries at www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/north-carolina-state-nutrition-action-coalition/food-access-maps.
• MANNA Partner Network Free Food Distribution Map: Use the map at mannafoodbank.org/wnc-free-food-distributions to find free food in Western North Carolina or call or text the MANNA Food Helpline at (828) 290-9749.
• Buncombe County’s Community Engagement Market Calendar: Free food and connection to other resources. View the calendar at www.buncombenc.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=26.
• The Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 205 College St., Asheville, operates a diaper bank during regular hours with free diapers, baby wipes, and baby formula. Details at www.buncombenc.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/204.
• YMCA Mobile Markets operates throughout the community. View the list of markets at https://www.ymcawnc.org/programs/community/food-programs.
• The FindHelp.org website is a great resource to navigate additional resources beyond food security.