ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department is warning that certain benefits could see a “disruption” if the federal government shutdown persists past the end of the month.
Health Director Heather Horne issued a press release on Thursday, saying the county’s “vital nutrition assistance programs have remained open despite the ongoing shutdown due to political deadlock and failure to pass the legislative budget.”
According to the release, the state requested and received additional funds for the programs to avoid disruption “in hopes the shutdown would soon come to an end.”
However, if the shutdown continues after October, the November benefits for the WIC and Food and Nutrition Services — which administers the SNAP program — programs could potentially not be issued on the regular schedule or for the regular amount, according to the release.
There are nearly 2,100 women, infants and children enrolled in the WIC program, the release states. The county’s FNS program served 6,058 cases or households ($2,143,417 in benefits) in September.
If the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services issues a “stop work” order, county leaders who are monitoring the situation say that “no more financial benefits can be loaded onto cards for families to access nutritious foods.”
“We recognize the importance of these benefits and will continue to provide updates to our participants as soon as additional federal guidance is available,” the press release reads. “We also recognize the local economic impact this could have on local vendors and stores who will see a lower redemption of these benefits each month until the shutdown ends.”
According to the release, all participants will be given a three-day notice before benefits stop. Participating families have reportedly been notified of the possibility and told “how best to prepare.”
“These supplemental programs are to enhance access to healthy options for families and should not be used as a sole means to obtain the nutritious food families need,” the release states.
The county’s WIC staff is reportedly working with local food banks “to handle the increased demand for services they expect to see and to ensure they are collecting baby food and infant formula along with other goods.”
Those looking to connect with a local food pantry or meal program can call 211.
“The staff will remain working to provide services to clients through breastfeeding education and support, nutrition counseling and health screenings that are vital to keeping women and infants healthy,” reads the release.
Meanwhile, the city of Hamlet has called a special meeting to consider “and possibly adopt” a resolution titled “Providing Temporary Utility Relief for Residents Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown.”
The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 and will be in the City Council chambers at City Hall on Main Street.
NOTE: This story has been updated to provide a link to a story detailing the Hamlet resolution. 5 p.m. 10-23-25
