SNAP recipients unsure whether they’ll get benefits for November

CONCORD, N.C. – The future is uncertain for hundreds of thousands of people who rely on SNAP benefits to buy food. Robert Mitton is one of more than 24,000 people in Cabarrus County who use SNAP. He says his benefits were reduced by $62 last month.

“Everything is still up in the air but things don’t look so good and the odds are all against us,” Mitton said. “It’s a necessity especially since wages are so low how can people afford to even live today it’s just nuts.”

Down Home North Carolina advocates gathered at the Cabarrus County courthouse Monday.
They question whether November benefits will come at all.

Congress has failed to fund the government for more than 30 days. A federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to use emergency funds to cover the cost of SNAP but the administration says it will only partially pay.

“Don’t let our children go hungry because of delays and budget cuts. We need action. We need compassion, and we need help now,” Denisha Politte, Cabarrus County SNAP recipient said.

State data shows 80% of people on snap are working, but don’t make enough to cover the cost of food. The uncertainty has some families looking at alternative options like growing their own food, but they need a faster fix to keep food on the table.

“Food doesn’t grow overnight, and the cost of living keeps rising. The cost of everything is just a disturbance to my livelihood and my kids,” Politte said. “Without SNAP, I’m not just losing just food. I’m losing peace in mind. I’m losing sleep. I’m losing the ability to focus anything else and I’m not alone there are other families like mine caught in the same storm.”

Other SNAP users say they’re holding on to hope that the next disbursement comes without delay.

“I get it at a weird time of the month on the 17th which is kinda weird, but thankfully it might be enough time to hold over so I might get my SNAP,” Mitton said.

The USDA says it could be weeks or even months before people start seeing the November benefits. The partial payments will require states to reprogram their systems which could be complicated.