A service that has been helping North Carolina families throughout the last several years is ending. Around 1 million North Carolina families will no longer be able to take advantage of the COVID-19 emergency allotments through the state’s Food and Nutrition Services. The loss of these additional food and nutrition benefits means our neighbors could be left wondering where they’ll get their next meal. Especially as grocery prices continue to rise nationwide.
According to the NCDHHS, families enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) have gotten extra benefits each month since March 2020 or after due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. February 2023 is the last month to get these extra benefits. They are called “emergency allotments” or “maximum supplements.” This is due to a federal change that will end emergency allotments for all states as of March 2023
Eligible households were getting a minimum of $95 more per month, and they will see that amount is no longer included in checks after February. If you’re enrolled in FNS, you will revert to getting your regular monthly benefit amounts in March 2023. The amount of this benefit depends on your current eligibility, household size, as well as other federal eligibility requirements.
You can view your regular monthly benefit amount online at www.ebtedge.com or through the EBT Edge mobile app. You can also view your current emergency allotment amount there.
More information on the program and other options are available here.