The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now funded through September 30, 2026. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services expects to process full November SNAP payments by the morning of Friday, November 14. Some recipients may receive their November benefits earlier than usual, while December benefits will be distributed on the regular schedule.
More than 29,000 Buncombe County residents rely on SNAP for food purchases and will begin receiving their full funds. Recipients can check their balances using the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of their card. For further information, individuals are encouraged to review the frequently asked questions section on the state’s SNAP webpage or contact Economic Services at 828-250-5500 or the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.
During the recent government shutdown, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) staff continued processing SNAP applications to ensure quick distribution once federal funding resumed. The county also increased call center capacity to address resident questions and provide timely updates.
Other assistance programs remain active. The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) is fully funded. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provided one-time vendor payments in November; BCHHS is awaiting further state guidance regarding ongoing funding for this program. Residents facing heating or cooling emergencies can apply for help through the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), available online at epass.nc.gov, in person at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville, or by phone at 828-250-5500.
To support residents during disruptions in SNAP benefits, Buncombe County organized a food drive benefiting MANNA FoodBank and its partner pantries. As of Wednesday evening, over 8,540 pounds of food had been collected—enough for about 7,000 meals. County officials thanked participants for helping provide food security during the federal government shutdown.
The food drive continues through Friday, November 21 at BCHHS offices and the Register of Deeds office; it runs through Saturday, November 22 at all county libraries and Lake Julian Park. Residents are also encouraged to bring non-perishable items to Pack Memorial Library before and during the 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.”
Additional resources remain available: NC211 offers local pantry information via phone or online; NCDHHS provides a Food Access page; MANNA’s Partner Network Free Food Distribution Map helps locate free food in Western North Carolina; Buncombe County’s Community Engagement Market Calendar lists events with free food; a diaper bank operates at Register of Deeds in Asheville; YMCA Mobile Markets serve various locations; and FindHelp connects residents with broader assistance options.
In related news about education in Buncombe County schools:
– In science ACT testing during 2022–23, about 28.5% of seniors (573 out of 2,010 students) were considered college-ready (source).
– Among juniors taking science ACTs that year, approximately 30.1% (582 out of 1,931 students) met college readiness benchmarks (source).
– For reading ACTs among seniors that year, about 41.1% were deemed ready for college (source), while juniors reached a rate of roughly 43.2% (source).
– In math ACT results among seniors in Buncombe County schools during that period, around one-quarter (25.6%) were considered ready for college-level work (source). Juniors had a higher rate at about 32.7% (source).
