Pandemic expansions for WIC and SNAP food assistance programs ends today: Aug. 1, 2023

Starting Aug. 1, several benefits and exceptions that were made available through the WIC and SNAP food assistance programs during the pandemic will come to an end.According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 1.6 million people in North Carolina receive SNAP benefits and 260,000 North Carolinians are enrolled in WIC, a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.Although the public health emergency ended in May 2023, families tell WCNC Charlotte’s Jesse Pierre that people are still facing higher costs of living, inflation, and other financial expenses and those benefits provided them with relief.For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.“Food has risen in cost just like a lot of things have and it’s def been helpful to focus my money, what money I do have on other things instead of having to think am I going to be able to feed my family tonight,” said Alyssa Herrholz, the mother of a two-year-old.Herrholz is enrolled in both programs.“It is something I look forward to every month because it saves us every month in lots of ways,” said Herrholz.For WIC, the changes mean fewer options for families. For example, loosened restrictions are ending that allowed families to make brand substitutions.Crisis Assistance Ministry CEO, Carol Hardison, said the flexibility allowed families to make healthier choices.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/regional/expanded-benefits-wic-snap-programs-pandemic-end-aug/275-b7fb9b0c-fe55-4161-be43-006274a05b52Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!