Newton, NC – Catawba County residents may be eligible to apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). D-SNAP is open to individuals and households not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) received federal approval to begin phase one of the D-SNAP program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture beginning Oct. 18, 2024. People can start applying for assistance three days before the program starts during online pre-registration beginning Oct. 15 and will have seven days from the start of the program to apply. The application period will close Oct. 24, 2024.

Residents may be eligible if they:

  • Live in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes or Yancey Counties.
  • Are a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.
  • Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income.
  • Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available).
  • Have income and resources below certain levels.
  • Are not currently receiving benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application. They can get more information about how to get the extra help on the FNS webpage.

Residents are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP by phone by calling the D-SNAP call center at 1-844-453-1117. The D-SNAP call center will be open at the following hours:

  • Weekdays (Friday, Oct. 18, Monday, Oct. 21, Tuesday, Oct. 22, Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Thursday, Oct. 24) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Residents are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP by phone on their assigned day by last name but will not be turned away if they apply any time during the application period.

  • Oct. 18 – A-G
  • Oct. 19 – H-M
  • Oct. 20 – N-S
  • Oct. 21 – T-Z
  • Oct. 22 – Open to all
  • Oct. 23 – Open to all
  • Oct. 24 – Open to all

Residents can also use the online ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which will open on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and close on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Once the pre-registration is completed, applicants will be issued a confirmation number and will need to call 1-844-453-1117 between Oct. 18 and Oct. 24 to complete the interview part of the application.

Residents can also apply for D-SNAP in-person at Catawba County Social Services, which is located at 3030 11th Ave Drive SE in Hickory. D-SNAP applications will be accepted during the following hours:

  • Weekdays (Friday, Oct. 18, Monday, Oct. 21, Tuesday, Oct. 22, Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Thursday, Oct. 24) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can complete their D-SNAP application ahead of time and bring it with them by downloading the form in English or Spanish.

For questions about D-SNAP, call 1-844-453-1117.