Pitt County officials say WIC funding secured through Nov. 30; SNAP payments uncertain amid litigation
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Summary
During public comment and a manager's report, residents and staff described the uncertain SNAP outlook after federal action and litigation; the state has agreed to fund WIC through Nov. 30 and local faith-based groups and the United Way are coordinating food assistance.
A public-comment speaker and county staff used the Nov. 3 meeting to highlight ongoing uncertainty about SNAP benefits and to report a more certain short-term outcome for WIC.
Carlos Alfonso, a Greenville resident, told the board that recent congressional action has put SNAP benefits "up in the air" and urged commissioners to press federal and state lawmakers to address the problem. "We can end these cuts tomorrow just by pressuring them, and we can make sure that our people are taken care of and that you don't have to deal with the drastic effects of not being able to buy groceries and feed themselves," Alfonso said.
In the manager's report, staff relayed information received from the North Carolina Department of Public Health that the state secured funding to support WIC operations through Nov. 30, 2025. On SNAP, the manager said litigation had directed the use of a federal reserve account that could produce a partial SNAP payment in November; staff described roughly $6 billion in the reserve versus about $9 billion needed to fund a full month, indicating a partial payment was likely but not final.
County staff and community partners said local groups, including interfaith clergy and the United Way Feed the Families Fund, are coordinating donations, gift cards and food boxes for households expected to be affected during the Thanksgiving period. The county manager emphasized that donated funds for this effort are being funneled through the United Way Feed the Families Fund rather than through county departments.
Why it matters: SNAP and WIC benefit continuity affects food security for low-income households in Pitt County. The county and local nonprofits are preparing short-term mitigation while the state and federal situation evolves.
What comes next: County staff said a more comprehensive update on social services will be provided to the board on Nov. 17.