Hurricane Florence: Food and Nutrition Services Program

Today, the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced two new flexibilities for people and families in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. These temporary flexibilities will apply to all 100 counties and the more than 600,000 households enrolled in the FNS program.

North Carolinians in the FNS program will be able to purchase hot food, including food prepared for immediate consumption, from authorized Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) retailers using their EBT card. All authorized EBT vendors in the state have been notified about this change, which is effective until Oct. 31. This will ensure families who are not able to prepare food at home due to displacement or power outages still have access to warm meals. Customers should inquire first with the store to see if they can process hot food purchases. It is important to note this is for authorized retailers, not restaurants.

For more information, please visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/north-carolinians-enrolled-food-and-nutrition-services-program-can-use-benefits.