Food stamps News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Fact check: How many US food stamp recipients are noncitizens?

About 42 million people participate in SNAP, which provides food assistance to low-income households. But online, X users have fueled doubts about the program's beneficiaries.

SNAP benefits could take time to return after shutdown

Questions remain about when people will get their food benefits after the historic more than 40 day government shutdown.

Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt volunteer at local food bank

More than one million people in North Carolina felt the shutdown's impact personally when SNAP benefits were not paid, and food banks nationwide have seen an increase in demand. Stein and Hunt volunteered on Tuesday at the food bank, and his office, alongside private partners, provided nearly $22 million to North Carolina Food Banks to support families struggling to put food on the table during the shutdown.

Fact check: Pritzker said Trump 'shut down the SNAP machines'

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a vocal Democratic critic of President Donald Trump during the federal government shutdown, mischaracterized the Trump administration's actions related to food aid for low-income families.

SNAP whiplash: Flurry of court rulings confuses those waiting for food aid

President Donald Trump's administration returned to the Supreme Court on Monday in a push to keep full payments in the SNAP federal food aid program frozen while the government is shut down. The back and forth has created uncertainty for people who depend on the aid.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Cutting SNAP benefits is as cold as ice

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Supreme Court pauses full SNAP payments as NC families receive partial payments

Multiple people spoke with WRAL reporter Kirstyn Clark and told her food pantries have been crucial to their survival without support from the government.

Local conference brings together national leaders in food insecurity

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is bringing together farmers, food bnks and health care workers to discuss food insecurity amid the government shutdown.

NC Attorney General warns of fake food drive scams amid government shutdown

North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning about fake food drive schemes exploiting the ongoing government shutdown. Learn what to look for if you spot one online.

Interrupting SNAP is impacting pets and their care

The interruption to SNAP benefits and even just the rising cost of groceries has now meant many families have struggled to provide food not just to their kids but also to their pets. Some shelters are even now seeing a rise in families forced to surrender their pets because they can no longer afford them.

Raleigh 'pay what you can' restaurant takes on new appreciation during shutdown, SNAP suspension

Some people come to 'A Place at the Table' in Raleigh to get meals for themselves and their families. The restaurant may start seeing more foot traffic as SNAP benefits are in limbo and the government shutdown enters another week.

SNAP pause creates dire need for Raleigh 'pay what you can' restaurant

As the government shutdown continues, people are turning to other resources to try to get nutritious meals. A Place at the Table in Raleigh is especially useful for those impacted with a 'pay what you can' structure.

Wake County fights to keep SNAP running amid ongoing government shutdown

A Wake County mother said she went into 'panic mode' as she grapples with reduced SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown. Wake County leaders discussed on Monday when emergency funds could arrive.

Wake County SNAP recipients face uncertainty as emergency benefits cut by 50 percent amid shutdown

Facing empty shelves and financial strain, Shaneisha Williams, a Wake County single mother, grapples with reduced SNAP benefits amid a federal shutdown. Local organizations and officials scramble to support the 80,000 residents reliant on aid.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: SNAP restored as the train keeps on coming

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

What Is happening with SNAP benefits during the shutdown?

A federal judge told the Trump administration Friday to continue funding for food stamps during the government shutdown, a legal victory for local officials and nonprofits that sought to spare roughly 42 million Americans from losing the benefits in a matter of days.

Chris Cameron and Julia Moskin, New York Times

With SNAP in limbo, woman hands out more than candy at Halloween

With the SNAP funding still uncertain, a Colorado woman has decided to help out people who are food insecure in her neighborhood this Halloween.

SNAP benefits suspension: Where to find food, resources

SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program's history because of the government shutdown. This could leave many without the much needed food and resources.

In NC, don't expect state lawmakers to provide much emergency SNAP funding

More than 1.4 million North Carolinians are poised to enter November without federal subsidies they rely on for food -- and without any assurances that relief is on the way.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

North Carolinians express lingering concerns over SNAP benefit uncertainty

Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump's administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation's biggest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.

SNAP benefits could be delayed for 1.4 million North Carolinians

About 1.4 million people in North Carolina rely on SNAP benefits for food and groceries.

Where to find food, resources in the wake of SNAP benefits suspension

SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program's history because of the government shutdown. This could leave many without the much needed food and resources.

NC attorney general sues USDA over food stamp funding

The USDA told states last week that it wouldn't be using roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds to keep the SNAP program running for November.

NC attorney general sues USDA after pausing SNAP benefits

Attorney General Jeff Jackson on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the potential delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

AG Jackson announces lawsuit over potential cuts to SNAP benefits

The USDA told states last week that it wouldn't be using roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds to keep the SNAP program running for November.

WRAL News staff