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Harnett County DSS warns SNAP benefits delayed by federal shutdown; director to retire Dec. 31
Summary
The Harnett County Department of Social Services told the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 that SNAP food‑assistance benefits would not be issued for the month of November during the federal government shutdown, affecting more than 8,200 households — roughly 17,400 residents in the county.
The Harnett County Department of Social Services told the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 that SNAP food‑assistance benefits would not be issued for the month of November during the federal government shutdown, affecting more than 8,200 households — roughly 17,400 residents in the county.
"Due to the federal shutdown, food nutrition benefits will not be issued for the month of November," Paul (DSS director) told the board, noting county staff have posted information online and provided scripts for front‑desk employees to help callers check EBT balances and find emergency food resources.
County staff said DSS will continue to accept and process SNAP applications during the shutdown and that benefits will be paid retroactively once federal funding resumes. Staff have also contacted local food pantries and launched a countywide canned‑food drive, with departments collecting donations for delivery to area food pantries.
The board asked whether the county could advance local funds to help families during the interruption; staff said that SNAP payments are federal and routed through the state, so the county cannot directly advance those federal dollars to individual households and then recoup them when the federal government reopens. The county noted it has reallocated some state grant funds to food pantries and said it would consider any available local contingency funds if donors or other state allocations become available.
In a separate announcement during the same report, the county confirmed that the director of DSS intends to retire effective Dec. 31 after 35½ years with Harnett County DSS. The director said the deputy director will serve as interim starting Jan. 1 and that the DSS board and county HR will conduct interviews for a permanent replacement.
"I will continue to assist in any way possible to make this a smooth transition," Paul said, thanking county leadership and DSS staff.
County staff said they will continue to update the public as information about benefits availability changes and encouraged residents with immediate need to use local food pantries and the county resource lists posted on the DSS website.
For more information, the county said residents can call the 1‑800 number on the back of EBT cards or consult the county’s online resources for food‑pantry locations and updates.
