SNAP Pause Affects Guilford Households, Extension Offers Resources

Guilford County residents received new guidance this week after the federal SNAP FNS program announced a pause that will delay issuance of new benefits for November. On November 3, 2025 the Guilford County Cooperative Extension published a resource page that lays out what the pause means locally, how to verify individual balances, and where to turn for emergency food assistance and application support.

The Extension page makes two key clarifications that matter to households on the program. Existing balances on Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts remain usable for purchases, and the pause affects only issuance of new November benefits. For people worried about whether they can buy groceries this week the page lists practical verification tools including the ebtEDGE app and EBT customer service lines to check current balances.

Beyond balance checks the resource page compiles a set of local and state contacts to help residents bridge any short term gaps. The list includes phone hotlines, food bank locators, the statewide NC 211 service, the More In My Basket assistance line, and the county Blessing Box network. These resources are aimed at helping households find immediate food access points and coordinate assistance while federal benefit payments are paused.

The Extension also emphasizes continuity of administrative services. State and local offices will continue processing new applications and recertifications, and the page supplies step by step tips for applicants and recipients. Guidance covers recertification procedures, documentation to have ready, and how to follow up with caseworkers to avoid future interruptions in benefit flows. That operational continuity is important because delays in processing can turn a payment pause into a longer period of vulnerability.

For Guilford County the pause underscores both the fragility of household food budgets and the role local infrastructure plays in cushioning shocks. Many families budget tightly around monthly benefit cycles, and interruptions even short term can force difficult trade offs between groceries and other necessities. Local food banks and community networks will be the first line of defense for residents who exhaust stored balances or face immediate need.

Policy context matters as well. Federal pauses in benefit issuance are uncommon but can arise from administrative timing and funding transitions. The Extension resource page is a timely example of a local public agency translating federal developments into actionable steps for residents. The page is available at guilford.ces.ncsu.edu with links and contact numbers for the resources mentioned.

Residents affected by the pause should first confirm their EBT balance, then reach out to NC 211 or the listed hotlines if they need immediate food assistance, and continue any pending applications or recertifications with state or local offices to restore regular benefit flows. The Extension resource aims to reduce confusion and direct households to existing community supports while federal payments are temporarily interrupted.