This document serves as notice that, on September 16, 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a waiver allowing participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase hot foods with their SNAP EBT benefits through October 31, 2018. Due to the floods and severe storms caused by Hurricane Florence, and effective immediately, retail food stores authorized by the Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits in the State of North Carolina may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for hot foods and foods ready for immediate consumption. This waiver is in effect through October 31, 2018 and applies to purchases of hot foods in all 100 counties.