Governor McCrory's Request for Disaster Food Assistance Approved for 18 Counties Impacted by Hurricane Matthew | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory's call for Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits for thousands of households impacted by Hurricane Matthew was approved today for 18 North Carolina counties by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    "As we move into the recovery phase, I am glad that we are able to help families and individuals by providing disaster food assistance," Governor McCrory said. "With this approval, we will now be able to better help families get back on their feet again."

    This benefit will help individuals who are not current recipients of Food and Nutrition Services, or food stamp benefits. Disaster assistance has been approved for residents of Beaufort, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell and Wayne counties. Additional counties may be approved for this program in the coming days.

    Residents in the impacted counties who are not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits may qualify for disaster assistance for a one-month period if they have suffered losses from Hurricane Matthew, including:

• Destroyed or damaged homes
• Disaster-related expenses
• Loss of income or food as a result of power outage or household flooding

    The federal government determines eligibility based on available income and resources.

    Current Food and Nutrition Services recipients impacted by Hurricane Matthew will automatically receive a supplemental benefit and do not need need to apply for the Disaster Food and Nutrition Services program.

    For more information on Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits, click here.

• Contact: McCrory Communications
•     govpress@nc.gov