CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tens of millions of dollars in food assistance payments arrived late to North Carolina residents over a four-year period, with state health officials declining to take corrective action despite persistent delays, according to a performance audit released this week.

The audit by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found approximately $83 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were delayed between January 2021 and December 2024. During that period, more than 290,000 SNAP payments failed to meet federal timeliness requirements.

State Auditor Dave Boliek said the findings reveal a troubling pattern of inaction by state leadership.

"Despite repeatedly seeing there were delays in the distribution of SNAP benefits, DHHS chose not to enforce c

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