Federal Government Shutdown
Federal Government Shutdown: What It Means for You
As of October 1, 2025, the federal government has shut down because Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. Many federal programs are paused or reduced, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed. This shutdown affects several programs run by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) that rely on federal funding. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts may become.
NCDHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians. The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families that rely on these programs. We are committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on this page as we learn more. There is still limited information from the federal government about when the shutdown will end or how funding will be handled going forward.
Latest Updates - October 27, 2025
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low‑income families buy groceries. SNAP benefits will continue through October 2025. However, because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has directed NCDHHS to pause all November SNAP benefits starting November 1, 2025. This means no new benefits will be added to EBT cards in November unless federal funding is restored. You can still use any benefits already on your EBT card and continue to shop at any store that accepts SNAP/EBT. This pause only affects new November benefits and does not take away any benefits already on your card. NCDHHS is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update partners and beneficiaries, including next steps if the USDA restores funding for November.
Find answers to frequently asked questions on the SNAP webpage.
- SNAP in NC: There are 1.4 million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table. More than 600,000 households receive benefits each month and 4 in 5 families participating in SNAP in North Carolina have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. As of Oct. 12, there are approximately 582,569 children in North Carolina who rely on SNAP.
- SNAP in NC: There are 1.4 million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table. More than 600,000 households receive benefits each month and 4 in 5 families participating in SNAP in North Carolina have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. As of Oct. 12, there are approximately 582,569 children in North Carolina who rely on SNAP.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food, formula, nutrition education and support for pregnant and new mothers and young children. If you rely on he WIC program, you will continue receiving benefits through October. While it is possible that the federal government may allocate additional funds to extend these benefits, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November and no certainty that additional funds will be received. NCDHHS is exploring all options to maintain benefits if federal dollars are not received.
- WIC in NC: WIC currently serves approximately 262,000 women, infants and children who rely on the program for access to nutritious food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health care referrals.
- WIC in NC: WIC currently serves approximately 262,000 women, infants and children who rely on the program for access to nutritious food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health care referrals.
- The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helps low-income households pay for home energy costs. LIEAP begins operations in December to a priority population that includes people ages 60 or older, or people living with a disability and receiving Food and Nutrition Services. If you are part of this priority group and received a LIEAP payment last year, you will be automatically approved again this year. If the government shutdown continues, no additional funding will be available, and new applications will not be accepted. Only those who are pre-approved will receive assistance.
- LIEAP in NC: This program provides heating, crisis and weatherization assistance. LIEAP serves more than 126,000 households in North Carolina.
News Releases
Oct. 8: Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown in North Carolina