North Carolina Disaster Nutrition Assistance

Incident: Tropical Storm Helene

When: Sept. 26, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Oct. 25, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) request to extend the 10-day reporting requirement waiver for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 26, 2024. The initial waivers, approved on Oct. 1, 2024, and Oct. 15, 2024, are applied to Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The waiver is now in effect through Nov. 5, 2024.
• On Oct. 25, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. This extension waiver approval allows SNAP households statewide, including those with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to continue to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Dec. 4, 2024, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 26, 2024.
• On Oct. 24, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to extend the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) application period in the five (5) counties in response to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 26, 2024. President Joseph R. Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration with Federal Individual Assistance for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) on Sept. 28, 2024. The initial waiver was approved on Oct. 11, 2024 and permitted D-SNAP operations in the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) for Oct. 18, 2024, through Oct. 24, 2024. This waiver approval extends the application period through Oct. 25, 2024, for Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, and McDowell counties.
• On Oct. 15, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to amend the 10-day reporting requirement waiver for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 26, 2024. The initial waiver, approved on Oct. 1, 2024, includes the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This amended waiver request includes Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Mecklenburg and Swain counties. The waiver is in effect through Oct. 26, 2024.
• On Oct. 11, 2024, FNS approved North Carolina DHHS request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in response to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 26, 2024. President Joseph R. Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration with Federal Individual Assistance for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) on Sept. 28, 2024. The state will operate D-SNAP in the above-listed counties and for EBCI residents in ZIP Code 28719. The state plans to operate the D-SNAP Oct. 18, 2024, through Oct. 24, 2024.
• On Oct. 7, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to extend certification periods and waive periodic reporting requirements for ongoing SNAP households in North Carolina for up to six (6) months due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 26, 2024.
• On Oct. 4, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of SNAP benefits, as stated in the approval, due to power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, beginning Sept. 26, 2024. The waiver approval applies to Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
• On Oct. 3, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. This waiver approval allows SNAP households statewide, including those with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Nov. 3, 2024, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, beginning on Sept. 26, 2024. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Oct. 1, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result Tropical Storm Helene beginning on Sept. 26, 2024. The waiver applies to Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The waiver is in effect through Oct. 26, 2024.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

• On Oct. 24, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) request to use USDA Foods from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to operate disaster household distribution (DHD). This request is in response to food assistance needs resulting from a Presidentially declared Major Disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene. Many roads and bridges have been closed due to flooding and a significant number of households lost power and water service. Some of the remaining power outages are in very remote, hard-to-access areas and it may take an estimated 3-4 weeks for all power to be restored. The DHD food package will be provided to approximately 348,000 individuals. The boxes will be self-pick up at food banks and pantry distribution sites in 20 targeted counties. The boxes will be pre-packed for household size and each box will contain an allocated number of USDA Foods based on the size of the household. Approval for DHD is granted from Nov. 4, 2024, through Dec. 3, 2024.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

• On Oct. 11, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) request for a waiver of standard issuance requirements flexibility with the maximum monthly allowance (MMA) requirements in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) for specific supplemental foods as a result of Hurricane Helene. The waiver approval allows substitutions as stated in the approval letter. Participants will be allowed to substitute milk of any fat content despite the designation of their food package and to substitute authorized whole wheat and whole grain bread, and other whole grain options as described in 7 CFR 246.10(e)(12), in package sizes up to 24-ounces when 16-ounce packages are unavailable. This waiver is in effect through Dec. 31, 2024, or 60 days after the end of the emergency period, whichever is sooner.
• On Oct. 9, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS program request to waive the WIC minimum stocking requirements for the purposes of vendor assessment and monitoring during the authorization period, pursuant to the regulation 7 CFR 246.12(g)(3)(i). This waiver approval is in response to significant impacts to WIC program services caused by Tropical Storm Helene beginning on Sept. 26, 2024. The certification extension is effective through Dec. 31, 2024 or 60 days after the end of the emergency period, whichever occurs first.
• On Oct. 9, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS program request to extend the WIC certification period of up to 90 days for a child receiving Food Package IV only. This extension approval is in response to significant impacts to WIC program services caused by Tropical Storm Helene beginning on Sept. 26, 2024. The certification extension is effective through Dec. 31, 2024, or 60 days after the end of the emergency period, whichever occurs first.
• On Oct. 4, North Carolina DHHS opted into a waiver made available by FNS, which allows the state to waive WIC regulations defining the Maximum Monthly Allowance (MMA) for infant formula for Food Packages I, II, and III and the regulatory requirement for medical documentation for the issuance of noncontract brand infant formula for Food Packages I and II. It is effective through Dec. 31, 2024, or 60 days after the end of the emergency period, whichever occurs first. The waiver is statewide.

Child Nutrition Programs

• On Oct. 7, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request to issue mass replacements to impacted households of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer to Children (Summer EBT) program. This waiver approval allows households participating in the Summer EBT program to receive a replacement of benefits, as stated in the approval, due to power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that occurred on Sept. 26, 2024. The waiver approval applies to Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
• On Oct. 5, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS to waive Section 13A(b)(1)(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1762(b)(1)(A)), and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 292.2 and 292.16(i)(1) to temporarily allow households participating in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program to purchase hot foods with program benefits at all authorized retailers in North Carolina. The waiver approval allows Summer EBT households statewide, including those within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to purchase hot foods through Nov. 3, 2024.
• On Oct. 3, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina DHHS request for flexibilities to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to facilitate recovery due to Tropical Storm Helene. Under the waiver approval, program operators may serve meals in a non-congregate setting, allow parent and guardian meal pick up, and adjust meal services times. The waiver also allows monitoring and reviews to be conducted offsite, due to the extenuating circumstances of Tropical Storm Helene. Additionally, the approval waives CACFP payment procedures for both programs and sponsoring organizations. The waiver is approved through Nov. 1, 2024.
• On Sept. 29, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) request for flexibilities relating to child nutrition program operations throughout the state. Under the waiver approval, program operators of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) may serve meals in a non-congregate setting, allow parent pick-up, adjust the time of meal service, and allow service of meals at school sites due to the unanticipated closures. Additionally, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) may serve meals in a non-congregate setting, allow parent pick-up, adjust the time of meal service, and are not required to use offer versus serve. FNS expects that flexibilities and exceptions provided will only be implemented by program operators when meal service is limited or negatively impacted by a natural disaster.

Past Responses

2024

Incident: Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight

When: Sept. 16, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Sept. 27, 2024, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost during the impact of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight beginning Sept. 16, 2024. The waiver applies to Brunswick County and is in effect through Oct. 16, 2024.

2022

Incident: Situation of Distress - Power Outage

When: Dec. 3, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Dec. 14, 2022, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits and Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due vandalism to an electrical substation that occurred on Dec. 3, 2022. The waiver request applies to residents of Moore County. The waiver is in effect through Jan. 3, 2023.
• On Dec. 14, 2022, FNS approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits, as stated in the approval, in Moore County due to power outages as a result of vandalism to an electrical substation that occurred on Dec. 3, 2022.

2021

Incident: Tropical Storm Fred

When: Aug. 16, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

For more information about North Carolina D-SNAP residents can visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services

• On Sept. 29, 2021, FNS approved North Carolina's request to operate D-SNAP in three counties in response to the impact of Tropical Storm Fred, which caused flooding and power outages on Aug. 16, 2021. On Sept. 8, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with authorization for federal individual assistance for the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania. The state agency will begin the 4-day application period on Monday, October 4 and accept applications through Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021.
• On Sept. 29, 2021, FNS approved North Carolina's request to operate D-SNAP in three counties in response to the impact of Tropical Storm Fred, which caused flooding and power outages on Aug. 16, 2021. On Sept. 8, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with authorization for federal individual assistance for the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania. The state agency will begin the 4-day application period on Monday, October 4 and accept applications through Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021.
• On Sept. 16, 2021, FNS approved North Carolina's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania. This waiver approval will allow SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Sept. 30, 2021, as a result of Tropical Cyclone Fred that began on Aug. 16, 2021. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods waiver approval. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Sept. 15, 2021, FNS approved a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services amended request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties. This is an extension to a request originally approved on Sept. 1, 2021, and scheduled to expire on Sept. 16, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits for food purchased with benefits that was lost as a result of power outages and related impacts of Tropical Storm Fred that began on Aug. 16, 2021. The amended waiver will be in effect through Sept. 27, 2021.
• On Aug. 31, 2021, FNS has approved the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in seven counties as a result of power outages on Aug. 16, 2021. This waiver approval allows impacted households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits. The waiver will be in effect through Sept. 16, 2021.

 

Incident: Severe Winter Storms

When: Feb. 15, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On March 1, 2021, FNS approved a North Carolina request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in 27 counties. This waiver approval allows impacted households in North Carolina to make a request for the replacement of SNAP benefits through March 15, 2021.

2020

Incident: Tropical Storm Isaias-Recovery

When: Aug. 4, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Aug. 31, 2020, FNS approved North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (DSS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households in the 11 counties below. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of 40 percent of July SNAP benefits as a result of Hurricane Isaias and power outages that occurred on Aug. 4, 2020.
  
  Impacted counties:

  Bertie Brunswick Camden

  Gates Jones Martin

  New Hanover Onslow Pamlico

  Pender Washington

2019

Incident: Hurricane Dorian

When: Aug. 30, 2019

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Sept. 19, 2019, FNS approved North Carolina's request to issue mass replacements in the counties of Craven, Jones, and Pamlico. This waiver approval allows households in these affected counties to receive replacement of 30 percent of the August SNAP benefit. These replacement SNAP benefits allow households to replace food lost due to power outages and flooding resulting from Hurricane Dorian.
• On Sept. 14, 2019, FNS approved North Carolina's request to issue mass replacements in the counties of Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington allowing households in these affected counties to receive replacement of 30 percent of the August SNAP benefit. These replacement SNAP benefits allow households to replace food lost due to power outages and flooding resulting from Hurricane Dorian.
• On Sept. 7, 2019, FNS approved North Carolina's request for timely household reporting of food loss for the state. This waiver approval will allow households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through Sept. 30, 2019. These replacement SNAP benefits will allow households to replace food lost due to power outages and flooding resulting from Hurricane Dorian.
• On Sept. 6, 2019, FNS approved North Carolina for early issuance of September benefits to SNAP households that normally receive their benefits between the ninth and twenty first of the month. The early issuance of benefits will allow the state to respond to the needs of families who are preparing for and recovering from severe weather.