How To Apply For North Carolina Food Stamps
View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in North Carolina. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the North Carolina SNAP hotline at 866-719-0141. The department that handles this program is called the North Carolina Division of Social Services.
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program that helps low-income families. In North Carolina monthly allotments of FNS benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT cards). The purpose of Food and Nutrition Services is to end hunger and improve nutrition and health. It helps eligible low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.
North Carolina food stamp eligibility requirements
Household Composition
Individuals residing together, but purchasing and preparing their meals separately, may participate in FNS as a separate household. Some individuals must participate in FNS as one household even though they purchase and prepare their meals separately. Individuals who must participate in FNS as one household are:
- Individuals living together who purchase/prepare their food together or will do so upon receipt of food assistance
- Spouses living together or individuals representing themselves as husband and wife to the community
Individuals under 22 living with a parent - Individuals under 18 under the parental control of an adult living in the home or
- Two unmarried adults living in the same home who are parents of a mutual child
Citizenship/Immigration Status
Each member of the FNS household must be a US Citizen or an immigrant admitted to the United States under a specific immigration status. Citizens and eligible immigrants must also meet all other FNS eligibility requirements to receive assistance. You can choose not to apply for yourself or members of your household and are not required to answer questions about Social Security Numbers and citizenship/immigration information for those you choose not to apply for. For each individual that you are applying for you must provide information about SSNs and citizenship/immigration status. Providing a SSN is required by the Food and Nutrition Act for applicants seeking benefits.
They will not share SSNs with INS. They will only use the SSNs you give them to do computer matches and check what you told them with State and Federal Agencies. You must be a US citizen or an eligible alien and also meet other Food and Nutrition Services rules to get Food and Nutrition Services benefits. They will only contact USCIS to check the immigration status on the household members who give them their immigrant documents. If an applicant does not provide this information, they will be ineligible for benefits.
Household members must provide their financial information because it is needed to determine eligibility for individuals who are applying. Eligible household members who apply will be able to get benefits even though some people in the household are not applying for benefits. The amount of benefits will depend on the number of people requesting benefits.
Income
All households must meet an income test to receive benefits. Income limits vary by household size. You may be eligible for Food and Nutrition Services if your total income falls below the appropriate gross income limits for your household size. Please be aware that the eligibility workers at your local agencies determine which income limit applies to your household and have many other factors to consider in determining your household’s eligibility.
Household size refers to the number in the household who may be eligible for FNS. Individuals who receive SSI, WFFA, or the household contains an aged or disabled individual may have different eligibility requirements. North Carolina residents can apply for Food and Nutrition services online by using an application called epass.
| FNSU Size | 130% Maximum Gross Income Limit | 200% Maximum Gross Income Limit | Maximum Benefit Allotment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,307 | $2,010 | $192 |
| 2 | $1,760 | $2,708 | $352 |
| 3 | $2,213 | $3,404 | $504 |
| 4 | $2,665 | $4,100 | $640 |
| 5 | $3,118 | $4,798 | $760 |
| 6 | $3,571 | $5,494 | $913 |
| 7 | $4,024 | $6,190 | $1,009 |
| 8 | $4,477 | $6,888 | $1,153 |
| Each Additional Member | +$453 | +$698 | +$144 |
Resources
Some households may be subject to a resource test. For households subject to the resource test the household may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as bank accounts and money in certain retirement accounts. Households may have $3,000 if at least one person is age 60 or older or disabled. Certain resources are not counted, such as homes, buildings, and land. The resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Work First payments or services, or households that are Categorically Eligible are not countable.
Many women and children in Food and Nutrition Services households are also eligible for food assistance through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, administered by the NC Division of Public Health. To learn more about Food and Nutrition Services please visit the United States Department of Agriculture's website.
Online Screening Tool
North Carolina residents can use an online tool called ePASS to screen themselves for potential eligibility for Food and Nutrition Services. The online screening tool can be found at epass.nc.gov. For more information, please contact your local county Department of Social Services.
How to apply for North Carolina food stamps
Applications for Food and Nutrition Services are taken at local county Departments of Social Services in the county in which the household resides. Some counties have Food and Nutrition Services outreach offices as well. Persons who live in households consisting only of SSI (Supplemental Security Income) applicants or recipients may apply for Food and Nutrition Services at the Social Security Administration Office. To apply for Food and Nutrition Services online go to epass.nc.gov. Or if you prefer, you can downlod the Food and Nutrition Services application, English version - Spanish version. Once you fill it out, you can visit your local county Department of Social Services to turn it in.
If you still have issues or questions about applying for North Carolina food stamp benefits, please feel free to contact them via email.