GREENSBORO, N.C. — A federal government shutdown could soon hit home for more than 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy groceries each month. Starting November 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directed states to suspend all SNAP benefit payments until federal funding becomes available. That means no new November benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards until the shutdown ends.

North Carolina families will still be able to use any remaining October benefits already on their cards. But if the shutdown continues, no new funds will be added in November — leaving many unsure how they’ll afford food.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, SNAP benefits represent roughly $230 to $250 m

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