This news item expired on Thursday, October 31, 2024 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
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Update as of Oct. 24, 2024 at 5 p.m.
The USDA has extended the deadline for Buncombe County residents to apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to 4 p.m. Friday. Individuals and households not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who were impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for D-SNAP. Apply in person at Buncombe County Health and Human Services, 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
The online application process and call center are no longer available.
At close of business Wednesday, Buncombe County had issued 4,276 cards with a total benefit amount of $2,553,456. Additionally, Buncombe County issued 370 cards for customers approved through the state’s call center process.
This extension is for counties in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell only.
Update as of Oct. 24, 2024
Today is the last day to apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance or D-SNAP. This program is for households with low to moderate income. Applications can be made in person at Buncombe County Health and Human Services at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buncombe County understands that the lines are long, but staff are working to get everyone in and out as soon as possible. For those unable to go in-person, they can fill out an authorization form and send an authorized person in your place. The form can be found here.
Due to high call volumes at the DSNAP Call Center at 1-844-453-1117, many have not been able to get through to the call center line. Everyone who would like to apply should pre-register at epass.nc.gov. After completing the pre-registration, they will receive a confirmation number, meaning they are in the system, and someone will reach out to them to finish the application even after today’s deadline. Those with a confirmation number received after pre-registering do not have to go in person today to complete their application. This will ensure that all of those who would like to apply will get the opportunity to do so.
Also, for those who are in line at 40 Coxe before 4 p.m., their application will be received.
If you were impacted by Hurricane Helene you can apply to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
Pre-registration:
Now through Thursday, October 24, 2024, eligible households can pre-register for assistance through the online ePass Pre-registration Tool at epass.nc.gov.
Once the pre-registration is completed, applicants will be issued a confirmation number and will need to call 1-844-453-1117 between Oct. 18 and Oct. 24 to complete the interview part of the application.
Apply for Benefits (Now through Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024):
In-person: Buncombe County Health and Human Services at 40 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801.
- October 18 through October 24, 2024 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- While people are encouraged to apply in their county of residence, they can apply in any of the eligible counties.
Call: D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Eligibility:
To be eligible, a person must:
- Live in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties or be a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.
- Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property, loss of income, and loss of food.
- Proof of identity.
- Have income and resources below certain levels.
- Not be currently receiving benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application. They can get more information about how to get the extra help on the FNS webpage.
- There are no U.S. Citizenship requirements for D-SNAP.
Residents can also complete their D-SNAP application ahead of time and bring it with them by downloading the form in English or Spanish.
People who may have a disability or are physically unable to go in-person to apply can complete this form in English or in Spanish and send an authorized representative in their place.