Confusion: SNAP benefits halted late Friday, nonprofits plugging gaps as able

Faith organizations, local food banks, and a host of nonprofits are working throughout North Carolina to feed those not getting benefits through the SNAP program as a result of the government shutdown and a series of actions Friday ending with a late-night U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Before the high court's pivotal decision, the state Department of Health and Human Services said it did load partial payments onto electronic debit transfer cards Friday and reiterated Saturday it was prepared to get full benefits on during the weekend. It could not do full benefits, however, because less than two hours before midnight, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown paused two rulings ordering disbursement of the federal government program commonly known as food stamps.

Saturday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told state directors of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments under prior orders had become unauthorized. “Catastrophic operational disruptions” were anticipated in at least half of the 50 states. It was not immediately clear if North Carolina fell into that group, or would be one of the states going to court "unauthorized" or "authorized" language, as Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey vowed.

“While partial payments were distributed on Friday based on USDA guidance, they fall far short of what people need,” state Health Secretary Dev Sangvai said on Saturday. “With more than 190,000 households receiving $16 or less, and some receiving no benefits at all, this reduction hits working families the hardest. We continue to urge federal leaders to come together and restore stability for the people who are paying the price for this inaction.”

The U.S. Senate convened Sunday, and word of a potential deal to end the government shutdown is being discussed, said Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

North Carolina’s distribution was roughly 65% of the maximum allotment for 586,000 households, the Health Department said Saturday. Those getting less than the normal maximum amount had reductions greater than 35%. About 190,000 households got $16 or less on Friday.

“I am urging for a swift resolution by the courts and some humanity from the Trump administration so North Carolina families can receive the support they need,” first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said Saturday.

Trump’s administration Friday afternoon had said it would fully fund the program in November. That changed with the Supreme Court decision.

Nonprofits aplenty from Murphy to Manteo are working to help the hungry. The United Way is active in eastern North Carolina. Elsewhere, varying levels of assistance are being provided by Food Bank of the Albemarle; Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC; Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina; Inter-Faith Food Shuttle; Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina; Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC; and MANNA Food Bank.