Accessing North Carolina Assistance Programs: Your Resource for State Support

Facing financial hardship can be overwhelming, but a network of North Carolina assistance programs exists to provide stability and support to residents in times of need. These state and federally funded services are designed to help individuals and families meet essential needs, including food, housing, healthcare, and employment.

The primary state agency overseeing many of these benefits is the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), which works with a network of local offices to deliver aid directly to communities. Understanding how to access this system is the first step toward securing the support available.

For most residents, there are two primary gateways to these services. The first is the state's online portal, ePASS (Electronic Pre-Assessment Screening Service), which allows individuals to apply for several key benefits from home, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and Food and Nutrition Services.

The second, and equally important, access point is the local County Department of Social Services (DSS) office. These local offices serve as the in-person hub for applying for assistance, getting questions answered, and receiving guidance on a wide range of programs. This resource provides a detailed overview of the major assistance programs available to North Carolinians, explaining what they offer, who is eligible, and how to begin the application process.

Support for Food and Nutrition Security

Ensuring families have consistent access to healthy food is a cornerstone of the state's support system. North Carolina administers several key programs aimed at alleviating hunger and promoting better nutrition for its low-income residents, from children and families to seniors.

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS/SNAP)

The state's largest food assistance program is Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and formerly called "food stamps". FNS provides eligible households with monthly funds to purchase groceries, helping to supplement their food budget and improve access to nutritious meals.

Benefits are distributed on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets.

What You Can Buy with FNS

FNS funds can be used to buy most food items, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and bread. However, FNS benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items like:

• Alcohol and tobacco
• Vitamins and medicine
• Pet food
• Household supplies like paper products and cleaning detergents   

Eligibility and Application

Eligibility for FNS is primarily based on a household's income and resources, with limits varying by the number of people in the home. A household generally includes the individuals who live, buy food, and prepare meals together.

Certain individuals living together, such as a parent and their children under 22, must apply as one household. Additionally, each member applying for benefits must be a U.S. citizen or have a specific, eligible immigration status.

Residents can apply for FNS in several ways:

• Online: The fastest method is through the state's ePASS portal at https://epass.nc.gov.
• In Person: Applicants can visit their local County Department of Social Services (DSS) office.  
• By Mail or Fax: Paper applications can be sent to the local DSS office.
• By Phone: Some counties may offer the option to apply over the phone.

After an application is submitted, an interview with a caseworker is required to determine eligibility. It is important to be aware that the system can experience delays. An audit found that during periods of high demand, such as in 2022, significant delays in benefit payments occurred.

Benefit Distribution and Management

Once approved, FNS benefits are loaded onto the EBT card on the same day each month. The specific date is determined by the last digit of the recipient's Social Security number. For example, if the SSN ends in 1, benefits are available on the 3rd of the month.

Recipients can check their EBT card balance 24/7 by calling 1-888-622-7328 or by visiting the ebt EDGE website or mobile app. The amount of assistance a household receives depends on factors like income and household size.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program providing healthy foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals. It is designed to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five.

WIC benefits are provided through an eWIC card, which can be used at authorized stores to purchase specific items like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and infant formula. The program also offers valuable resources such as one-on-one counseling with nutritionists and access to breastfeeding support.

Eligibility and Application

To qualify for WIC, an applicant must meet four distinct criteria:

1. Categorical: Must be a pregnant woman, a postpartum woman, a breastfeeding woman, an infant, or a child up to age five.
2. Residential: Must live in North Carolina.
3. Income: The household's gross income must be at or below 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.
4. Nutritional Risk: A health professional must determine that the applicant is at nutritional risk, which can include medical or dietary issues.

An individual who is already receiving Medicaid, FNS (SNAP), or Work First Family Assistance (TANF) automatically meets the income eligibility requirement for WIC. This creates a streamlined pathway for families already enrolled in other safety net programs.

To apply for WIC, individuals should contact their local WIC agency, which is often located within the county health department. An appointment is required, and applicants will need to bring documentation to verify their identity, residency, and income.

Housing, Rent, and Utility Assistance

Securing and maintaining safe, affordable housing is a major challenge for many North Carolinians. The state's housing assistance landscape is complex, with different programs managed by a variety of federal, state, and local agencies.

Unlike food and medical benefits, housing support is fragmented. A resident's path to assistance depends heavily on their specific need, location, and personal circumstances. Navigating this system requires understanding which agency handles which type of support.

Rental Assistance Programs

The primary program for rental assistance is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. This is a federally funded program administered by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across North Carolina. The program provides a voucher to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities, allowing them to rent housing in the private market.

With a voucher, a family can choose their own rental unit, as long as the landlord agrees to participate and the unit meets federal quality standards. The PHA pays a subsidy directly to the landlord, and the family typically pays between 30% and 40% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. 

Applying for a Housing Choice Voucher involves contacting the local PHA. It is important to note that demand for vouchers far exceeds available funding, and most PHAs maintain long waiting lists that may be closed to new applicants.

Beyond the standard voucher, several specialized programs exist:

• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH): Provides rental assistance to homeless veterans.
• Mainstream Vouchers: Offers rental assistance for non-elderly persons with disabilities.
• Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV): Assists individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Specialized Housing and Support for People with Disabilities

North Carolina offers programs that integrate affordable housing with supportive services, enabling people with disabilities to live independently. These initiatives are often partnerships between the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) and NCDHHS.

• The Targeting Program: This program sets aside units in newly constructed or rehabilitated rental properties for people with disabilities who have very low incomes. Access is through a referral from a participating human service agency, such as a county DSS office.
• Transitions to Community Living Voucher (TCLV): This voucher provides rental assistance to help individuals with serious behavioral health disabilities move from restrictive settings into their own homes. To learn about eligibility, individuals should contact their regional Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO).

Energy and Utility Bill Support

To help low-income households manage home energy costs, North Carolina offers two primary assistance programs administered by local DSS offices.

• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): This federally funded program provides a one-time, direct payment to a household's utility vendor to help with heating bills. Eligibility is based on income, citizenship status, and being responsible for heating costs. The application period is structured to prioritize vulnerable residents:
• December 1–31: Open to households with a person aged 60 or older or an individual with a disability.
• January 1–March 31: Open to all other eligible households until funds are exhausted.
• Crisis Intervention Program (CIP): This program assists individuals and families who are experiencing an immediate heating- or cooling-related crisis, such as a disconnection notice. CIP is available year-round to address life-threatening emergencies.

Applications for both LIEAP and CIP can be made online through ePASS or by contacting the local County Department of Social Services.

Homeownership and Down Payment Assistance

For residents looking to own a home, several programs offer financial assistance. These are primarily managed by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) and local partners.

• NC Home Advantage Mortgage™: This mortgage product is available to both first-time and move-up home buyers and offers down payment assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount.
• NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment: This program provides $15,000 in down payment assistance for eligible first-time home buyers and military veterans.
• Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP): In counties impacted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, this program provides up to $30,000 in down payment assistance to first-time and first-generation homebuyers.
• Local Programs: Many cities, counties, and nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity, offer their own homebuyer assistance programs.

Healthcare and Medical Coverage

Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental need, and North Carolina provides coverage for millions of its residents through NC Medicaid. Recent policy changes have dramatically expanded who is eligible for this critical support.

NC Medicaid and Health Choice

NC Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that provides comprehensive health insurance to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. It covers a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions, at little to no cost.

Understanding Medicaid Expansion

On December 1, 2023, North Carolina officially expanded Medicaid, extending coverage to adults aged 19 through 64 with household incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. This includes many adults without dependent children who previously fell into a "coverage gap."

This expansion is a systemic shift that affects the entire social safety net. Because enrollment in Medicaid automatically satisfies the income requirements for programs like WIC, the expansion has created a new, simplified entry point into the broader assistance ecosystem.

Eligibility and Application

General eligibility for NC Medicaid depends on several factors:

• Residency and Citizenship: Applicants must be North Carolina residents and either U.S. citizens or have an eligible immigration status.
• Age and Category: Rules and income limits vary depending on whether the applicant is a child, a pregnant person, an adult aged 19-64, or a senior/person with a disability.
• Income: The household's monthly income must fall below the limit for its size and category.

The best way to determine eligibility is to apply. Applications can be submitted through multiple channels:

• Online: Through the ePASS portal at https://epass.nc.gov.
• In Person or by Phone: At the local County Department of Social Services (DSS) office.
• Paper Application: By mailing a completed form to the local DSS office.

Income limits are based on data from NCDHHS and are subject to change. A caseworker will make the final eligibility determination.

Medical Debt Relief Program

North Carolina has also implemented a program to address the burden of medical debt. Through a partnership with hospitals, the Medical Debt Relief Program has erased billions of dollars in medical debt for more than 2.5 million residents.

This is not a program that individuals apply for. Instead, participating hospitals have agreed to cancel qualifying medical debt for low- and middle-income patients in exchange for enhanced Medicaid funding. This effort provides significant financial relief to families recovering from medical crises.

Financial, Employment, and Family Support

For families facing a temporary financial crisis or needing support to enter the workforce, North Carolina offers several programs that provide direct cash assistance, help with child care costs, and employment services.

Work First Family Assistance (TANF)

Work First is North Carolina's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It provides short-term cash assistance and employment services to low-income families with children under 18.

The program requires adult participants to engage in work-related activities to move toward self-sufficiency. To be eligible, a family must have a child in the home, meet strict income and resource limits, and cooperate with child support enforcement. Assistance is time-limited, with most families subject to a 60-month federal lifetime limit.

For families facing a short-term crisis, the Benefit Diversion program may be an option. This provides a one-time, lump-sum payment to help with an employment-related need. Applications for Work First are made at the local County DSS office.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The North Carolina Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families afford safe, quality child care by paying a portion of the cost directly to the provider. The program is administered by local agencies, typically the county DSS.

Eligibility is determined by two main factors:

1. A Need for Care: The family must have a qualifying reason for needing child care, such as working, attending school, or if the child is receiving protective services.
2. Income: The family's gross monthly income must fall below the established limits for their household size.

Most families are required to contribute a co-payment, which is typically 10% of the family's gross income. Because funding is limited, many counties maintain a waiting list, so it is important to apply early. To apply, parents should contact their local DSS or designated child care agency.

Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The program is managed by the North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES).

To be eligible for UI benefits, an individual must meet several criteria:

• Reason for Separation: The job loss must be due to a reason like a layoff. Individuals who quit or are fired for misconduct are generally not eligible.
• Monetary Eligibility: The individual must have earned sufficient wages during a "base period" to establish a claim.
• Able and Available for Work: The claimant must be physically able and available to accept suitable work.
• Actively Seeking Work: Claimants are required to make at least three valid work search contacts each week.

The quickest way to file a new claim is online through the DES website. After filing, individuals must submit a weekly certification online for each week they wish to receive benefits.

Employment and Training at NCWorks Career Centers

For all residents seeking employment, NC Works Career Centers are the state's primary resource. Located across the state, these one-stop centers offer a wide array of free services to job seekers.

Services available at NC Works Career Centers include:

• Career counseling and skills assessments 
• Résumé preparation and interview practice
• Access to computers and internet for job searching
• Information on job fairs and local hiring events
• Referrals to job training programs and educational opportunities
• Specialized services for veterans, young adults, and former offenders

NC Works also maintains an extensive online job board, NC Works Online, which allows users to create a profile, upload a résumé, and apply for jobs directly. Individuals can find their nearest career center by visiting the NC Works website.

Centralized Resources and Your First Step to Getting Help

Navigating the various assistance programs can feel complex, but knowing where to start simplifies the process. For most North Carolinians, the journey begins at one of two key entry points.

The most direct path for many is the state's online portal, ePASS, available at https://epass.nc.gov. This website allows you to apply for several of the largest benefit programs—including Food and Nutrition Services (FNS/SNAP), Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and energy assistance—from any computer.

For those who prefer in-person assistance or need to apply for programs like Work First, the best resource is your local County Department of Social Services (DSS) office. Caseworkers at these offices can provide guidance and help complete applications.

If you are unsure where to begin, the NCDHHS Customer Service Center is available to help direct your call. You can reach them at 1-800-662-7030.

Seeking assistance is a proactive step toward building a more stable future. These programs were created to serve as a reliable support system and can provide the essential resources needed to overcome financial challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions