SNAP Funding at Risk

More than 12,000 Rutherford County residents could lose access to food assistance next month if Congress fails to reach a federal budget deal, according to County Department of Social Services Director Dee Hunt.

During this month’s DSS Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 15, Hunt told members the state had instructed local agencies not to send payment cycles for the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program while a federal shutdown remains possible.

“If there are payments that don’t go out, it is not Rutherford County DSS doing this,” Hunt said. “This is the shutdown of the federal government, and we’re following directives.”

Economic Services Supervisor Susan Epley reported that the county issues about $2 million per month in FNS benefits to more than 6,600 households. If those funds are withheld in November, she warned, the fallout will reach well beyond grocery aisles.

“Every dollar spent in food nutrition services adds between $1.50 and $1.80 to the local economy,” Epley said. “You’re looking at an overall economic loss of more than three to four million dollars.”

The county’s Work First Family Assistance program, which serves 67 families and more than 100 individuals, could also be affected if the federal government fails to disburse payments.

Board members voiced concern that the public will direct its frustration toward the local department. “People will be angry with those they can reach — that means us,” one said. Hunt agreed, noting that DSS can only act once federal funding resumes.

To prepare for possible disruptions, the department is coordinating with the state to issue text alerts, social media updates, and direct mail through the NC ePASS system to keep residents informed.

Meanwhile, local safety-net programs are already strained. The county’s Crisis Intervention Program saw 221 applications in September, up from 141 a year ago. Hunt said that food pantries across the area have reported sharp declines in donations and available supplies.

“When folks go to food pantries now, they’re getting nowhere near what they were getting before,” Hunt said. “We’re seeing more people in crisis, and less to go around.”

The department’s September service report also showed a rise in Child Protective Services reports, with 73 "screen-ins" of new cases last month compared to 59 in September 2024.

The number of children in foster care climbed to 192, up from 188 the year before.

Hunt said those caseloads are being managed by just three front-line assessors — far below state staffing standards. “It’s a lot of weight on their shoulders,” she told the board.

While DSS continues to recruit and train new staff, Hunt said retention challenges persist. “People don’t want to wait three years to reach full pay,” she said. “If something better comes along, they take it.”

The agency held a three-day job fair this week to fill vacancies and is partnering with Isothermal Community College and Western Carolina University to expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

Hunt closed the meeting by emphasizing that the department will continue to support residents with the resources it controls — but warned that federal gridlock could bring severe local consequences.

“If the federal government doesn’t reopen soon,” she said, “the shock won’t stop at the grocery store. It’s going to ripple through every part of our community.”

On Oct. 23, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Senate Democrats are "holding the country hostage" by not passing a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill on Oct. 22 to continue SNAP funding through the shutdown. During Thursday’s briefing, Leavitt said the administration would “absolutely support” the legislation.