NC Gov. Josh Stein says feds, not the state, are the best fix for SNAP funding
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- More than 1 million North Carolinians await partial SNAP benefits amid shutdown.
- State lacks resources to fully replace SNAP; legislature and Congress remain stalled.
- Stein directs $10 million to food banks and urges Congress to restore SNAP benefits.
More than 1 million North Carolinians are waiting on food assistance benefits while the federal government shutdown continues.
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said money from the state is “just a fleeting answer” and that the federal government reopening is the solution.
The federal government will release some funds in November for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, after a court order — but not the full benefits. And that could still take weeks.
Stein criticized Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday for the SNAP delays.
“I was pleased that the court ordered the administration to go into this reserve account (to fund some SNAP benefits). I’m immensely frustrated that the administration is trying to slow walk it and not access full funding for SNAP benefits this month. The challenge is, is that (the) federal government is the only one who has the resources to really address the issue,” Stein told reporters after a Council of State meeting.
Stein recently announced $10 million from the state is being provided to food banks, along with another $8 million in private donations from groups including AmeriHealth Caritas and the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation.
Stein said that money is still “just a fleeting answer. The only answer is for the federal government to fully fund SNAP.”
What NC, other states are doing about SNAP
Some other states have released funding for SNAP, like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who issued an executive order on Monday to authorize $62 million in SNAP benefits to recipients in his state. Stein said he doesn’t have the same kind of leeway.
“We did $10 million from the state, but I don’t have access to unlimited resources. So unfortunately, other states had legislators that were prepared to appropriate money, or they had access to larger reserve accounts,” Stein said.
The General Assembly did not pass any legislation with SNAP funding during their brief late October session. They are scheduled to return again the week of Nov. 17.
Stein echoed comments he made last month about both the General Assembly and Congress “failing” to do what they’re supposed to: pass a budget.
North Carolina’s comprehensive state budget was due July 1, but is exceedingly late because of a stalemate between Republicans who control both chambers. Unlike the federal government, however, the state does not shut down. State law just keeps spending levels the same as they were the previous fiscal year. Stein has also signed three very small spending bills since the summer.
Visit the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website to find out locations of food banks in the state.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM with the headline "NC Gov. Josh Stein says feds, not the state, are the best fix for SNAP funding."
