People living in 25 western NC counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income
- Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available)
- Not currently receive benefits through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). People receiving FNS can also get extra help to buy food but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application.
- Certain income and resource limits may apply.
Apply for Benefits
Pre-registration is available beginning Oct. 15.
Eligible households can pre-register online for assistance three days before the program starts by using the ePASS pre-registration tool at epass.nc.gov. Once online pre-registration is complete, applicants will be issued a confirmation number. When the application period begins on Oct. 18, people who pre-registered will need to call 1-844-453-1117 to complete an interview to apply.
Beginning Oct. 18 – 24, 2024, eligible households may apply for D-SNAP by phone or in person.
- To apply by phone, call the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday and Sunday. To manage call volumes, individuals are asked to call on their assigned day based on their last name:
- 10/18: A-G
- 10/19: H-M
- 10/20: N-S
- 10/21: T-Z
- 10/22: Open to all
- 10/23: Open to all
- 10/24: Open to all
- People may apply in person on weekdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the following locations:
- Alexander County: Alexander County Department of Social Services
604 7th St SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681 - Alleghany County: Emerson Black Building
1375 Hwy 21 N, Sparta, NC 28675 - Ashe County: Ashe County Department of Social Services (main office)
150 Government Circle, Suite 1400, Jefferson, NC 28640 - Avery County: Avery County Library (Basement)
150 Library Rd, Newland, NC 28657 - Buncombe County: Buncombe County Department of Social Services (main office)
40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801 - Burke County: Burke County Department of Social Services
700 E Parker Rd, Morganton, NC 28655 - Caldwell County: Former Walgreens Building
621 Harper Ave., Lenoir, NC 28645 - Catawba County: Catawba County Department of Social Services
3030 11th Ave Dr, Hickory, NC 28602 - Clay County: Clay County Department of Social Services
119 Courthouse Dr, Hayesville, NC 28904 - Cleveland County: Cleveland County Schools Bus Garage
300 Kemper Road, Shelby, NC 28152 - Gaston County: Gaston County Department of Social Services (main office)
330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, NC 28052 - Haywood County: Haywood County Department of Social Services
157 Paragon Pkwy #300, Clyde, NC 28721 - Henderson County: Living Waters Baptist Church
1284 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792 - Jackson County: Jackson County Department of Social Services
15 Griffin St, Sylva, NC 28779 - Lincoln County: Lincoln County Department of Social Services
1136 East Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092 - Macon County: Macon County Department of Social Services
183 Holly Springs Plaza, Franklin, NC 28734 - Madison County: Madison County Department of Social Services
5707 US Hwy 25-70, Suite 1, Marshall, NC 28753 - McDowell County: McDowell County YMCA gymnasium (bottom level)
348 Grace Corpening Drive, Marion, North Carolina 28752 - Mitchell County: Mitchell County Department of Social Services
347 Longview Dr, Bakersville, NC 28705 - Polk County: Polk County Department of Social Services
231 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756 - Rutherford County: Isothermal Community College (ICC)
Foundation Performing Arts Center, 286 ICC Loop Road Spindale NC 288160 - Transylvania County: Transylvania County Library (Rogow Room)
212 South Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712 - Watauga County: Watauga County Department of Social Services
132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite C, Boone, NC 28607 - Wilkes County: Wilkes County Department of Social Services
304 College St, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 - Yancey County: Burnsville Town Center
6 South Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714 - Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Residing in 28719:
- Qualla Boundary, Qualla Boundary, 1526 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC
- Jackson County DSS, 15 Griffin St., Sylva, NC 28779
- Alexander County: Alexander County Department of Social Services
