ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are expected to fully resume for more than 29,000 Buncombe County residents after Congress approved funding through Sept. 30, 2026, according to county officials.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture before releasing full SNAP allotments. Recipients can check their balances through the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of their EBT cards. Questions can also be directed to Buncombe County Economic Services at 828-250-5500 or the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.
County Health and Human Services staff continued processing SNAP applications during the federal shutdown so benefits could be distributed quickly once funding resumed. Call center capacity was also increased to help residents navigate delays.
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program remains fully funded. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) distributed one-time vendor payments in November, but BCHHS is still awaiting state direction on continued funding. Residents facing heating or cooling emergencies can apply for the Crisis Intervention Program online, by phone or in person at 40 Coxe Ave.
To help bridge the gap during the SNAP disruption, the county organized a food drive supporting MANNA FoodBank and its partner pantries. As of Wednesday evening, the drive had collected more than 8,540 pounds of food — enough for roughly 7,000 meals.
The drive continues through Friday, Nov. 21, at the BCHHS building and the Register of Deeds office, and through Saturday, Nov. 22, at all county libraries and Lake Julian Park. Donations are also encouraged at Pack Memorial Library before and during the Asheville Holiday Parade on Nov. 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,” BCHHS Director David Sweat said. “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.”
Additional food resources remain available, including NC211, the NCDHHS Food Access page, MANNA’s Free Food Distribution Map and Helpline, YMCA Mobile Markets, the Buncombe County Community Engagement Market Calendar and the diaper bank at the Register of Deeds office.
