Fact Check: More than one in every 10 North Carolinians receive food stamps
What We Know
The claim that "more than one in every 10 North Carolinians receive food stamps" can be substantiated by data from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the federal program commonly known as food stamps. According to the SNAP Data Tables, as of March 2025, approximately 1.5 million individuals in North Carolina were receiving SNAP benefits. Given that the estimated population of North Carolina is about 10.5 million, this translates to approximately 14.3% of the state's population receiving food assistance.
Additionally, the FNS Caseload Statistics Reports corroborate this data, showing a consistent number of participants in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program, which is the state-level administration of SNAP. The reports indicate that the number of recipients has remained significant, supporting the claim that a substantial portion of the population relies on these benefits.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is derived from reputable sources, including federal and state government reports. The SNAP Data Tables are published by the Food and Nutrition Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering the SNAP program. This source is highly reliable as it provides official statistics and insights into program participation.
The FNS Caseload Statistics Reports from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) also provide accurate and timely data on food stamp participation in the state. While the reports have experienced some technical issues in the past regarding data accuracy, the overall trends and numbers reported align with the information from the SNAP Data Tables, reinforcing the credibility of the claim.
The claim is further supported by the SNAP State Activity Reports, which provide additional context about participation rates and demographics across states. This data is crucial for understanding the broader implications of food assistance programs in North Carolina.
Conclusion
The claim that "more than one in every 10 North Carolinians receive food stamps" is True. The data from multiple reliable sources indicates that approximately 14.3% of North Carolina's population is enrolled in the SNAP program, confirming that a significant portion of the state's residents rely on food assistance.
