How to Apply for Food Stamps in North Carolina

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1Online

2In-Person

3By Mail

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If you're a North Carolina resident who's struggling to put food on the table, the food stamps program might help. This program, officially called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), is available for anyone who has less than $2,001 in the bank and earns less than $25,760 a year (plus another $9,080 for each additional household member). This is an entitlement program available to all citizens and legal residents who qualify. What's more, as long as you're a legal resident, applying for or receiving food stamps won't affect your immigration status. If you think you meet the qualifications, don't hesitate to apply—no one has to go hungry. Benefits are deposited on a special debit card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card accepted at most grocery and convenience stores.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Online

1. 
   1
   Gather bank statements and tax records. The application has questions about your finances, so it's good to have these things handy so you can refer to them. If you and anyone else in your family is employed, get a couple of pay stubs as well so you can report income accurately.

   • The caseworker who reviews your application will check the information you've provided electronically against information available to the state. It's a good idea to keep all the documents you used together in one place, though, so if they need to verify something you have them ready to go.
2. 
   2
   Visit the North Carolina ePass website. Go to https://epass.nc.gov/ and click "Apply for benefits" to get started. If your primary language is Spanish, you can access the site in Spanish by clicking "Español" at the top of the page.
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3. 
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   Create an NCID account if you don't already have one. Click the link to sign up for a new NCID (North Carolina Identification) account and follow the prompts to create your account. If you already have an account because you've previously used the ePass system to apply for benefits, you can use the same login information.
4. 
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   Click the blue "Apply for benefits" button at the top of the screen. When you log on to your ePass account with your NCID, you'll be taken to your account dashboard, which has blocks you can click to do various things related to managing your benefits. Most of these will be locked until after you've applied for benefits. The only thing you need to worry about for now is the apply button.
5. 
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   Answer the questions to complete the application. The online application will ask you a series of questions about yourself, the people you live with, and your household finances. Answer these questions completely and honestly.

   • If you don't understand a question, click the blue question mark next to the question for more information that will help you answer it.
   • If you find that you're not able to finish the application after you start it, click the "Options" drop-down on the top right-hand corner of the page, then select "Save and Exit." This will save your progress so you can return later.
6. 
   6
   Link your ePass account to the NC FAST database. Linking your account to NC FAST (North Carolina Families Accessing Services Through Technology) isn't required to apply for benefits, but it helps you access several online features that make it easier to manage your benefits. These features include contacting your local DSS office, receiving electronic notifications, and receiving documents about your benefits electronically (rather than having to wait to get them in the mail).

   • If you've previously applied for medical assistance, click the box that says "Enhance my ePass" from your dashboard and follow the instructions to link your account that way.
7. 
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   Talk to a caseworker on the phone. When a caseworker receives your application, they'll typically call you to follow up on it. If you weren't able to fill everything out, they might ask you questions to attempt to get that information. They might also request that you send documents, or copies of documents, to them so they can verify the information you provided.

   • The caseworker will let you know if you've been approved once they've verified your information. You can also check the status of your application on your ePass account under the "Your Applications" tab on your dashboard.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

In-Person

1. 
   1
   Find your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office. Go to https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory and hover the cursor over the county where you live. A pop-up will appear with an address and phone number for your local office.

   • It's a good idea to call the office and find out if they're accepting in-person applications and what hours they're open. If they're not accepting in-person applications, a caseworker might be able to get your application started over the phone.
   • You might also ask if you can make an appointment. Not all offices make appointments for first-time applicants, but busier ones in more urban areas often do. Having an appointment will decrease the amount of time you have to wait once you get there.
2. 
   2
   Fill out a paper application before you go, if possible. If you have access to a computer and printer, go to https://epass.nc.gov/ and click on the link toward the bottom of the page that says "Food & Nutrition Services paper application." You can fill it out on the computer or print it and handwrite your answers.

   • If you can't fill out the application, go to the office anyway. A caseworker will help you.
   • Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, German, French, Korean, and Vietnamese.
3. 
   3
   Gather documents that prove your identity, income, and expenses. Bringing documents with you to your appointment helps your caseworker verify the information you provide more quickly. Gather as many of the following documents as you can find:

   • Identity: birth certificates, government-issued photo IDs, Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of immigrant status if you're not a US citizen
   • Proof of income: the past month's worth of pay stubs or a written statement from your employer, child support or alimony statements, other benefit statements (such as worker's compensation or unemployment)
   • Rent or mortgage: mortgage statement, rent receipts, copy of your lease
   • Utility bills: gas, electric, heating, and phone bills
4. 
   4
   Visit the office during regular business hours. If you weren't able to make an appointment, it's usually best to get there as soon as possible after the office opens to decrease the amount of time you have to wait. Bring your documents with you and tell the receptionist that you want to apply for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

   • If you don't speak English, it's a good idea to bring someone with you who does. There might be some caseworkers who speak other languages, but there's no guarantee.
5. 
   5
   Schedule an interview if you're unable to stay. Typically, a caseworker can meet with you when you show up, although you might have to wait a while. If you need to be somewhere else, let the receptionist or a caseworker know and they'll help you schedule an interview at a better time.

   • Having a scheduled interview gives you priority over walk-ins. You might still have to wait, but it usually won't take as long.
6. 
   6
   Talk to a caseworker to apply for FNS. The caseworker will ask you questions about the people in your household and your income. They'll put the information you provide directly into the computer system. If you don't know the answer to a question, tell the caseworker—they'll help you figure out how to get that information.

   • Based on your answers, the caseworker will let you know what benefits you're potentially eligible for and when you can expect to start getting them.
   • If your situation is urgent, the caseworker might be able to point you to other resources, such as local food banks, that can help you until your benefits kick in.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

By Mail

1. 
   1
   Download the paper application online. Go to https://epass.nc.gov/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page, then click "Food & Nutrition Services paper application." A PDF will open in a new window.

   • You can fill out the application on your computer and then print and sign it, or you can print it and fill it out by hand. If you write in your answers, use pen and print legibly.
   • If you need an application in another language, check the "Apply in other languages" box next to the main link on the ePass page.
2. 
   2
   Ask DSS to mail you a copy of the application. If you can't download and print a paper application online, your county DSS office can mail you one. Just keep in mind that this is probably the slowest way to get benefits, so if you have an urgent need, try to apply online or in person.

   • Request specifically if you need an application in another language—otherwise they'll just send you the English application.
3. 
   3
   Fill out the paper application completely. Use your bank statements and other records to ensure your answers are accurate—don't guess or round off numbers. Inaccurate answers could result in your application getting denied. If there are questions you don't know the answers to, leave them blank. A caseworker will work with you to find that information if it's necessary to assess your eligibility.

   • The application requires you to provide information about each of the members of your household, all sources and amounts of income the household receives, and amounts of bills the household pays every month (such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and phone).
   • Sign your application when you're done. If you're filling out the application for someone else, they need to sign the application—not you.
4. 
   4
   Mail the application to your county DSS office. Use the map at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory to get the mailing address for your county DSS office. Get your application in the mail as soon as possible and keep in mind it might take a couple of days for them to get it.
5. 
   5
   Wait for a call or letter from a caseworker. A caseworker will likely call you to follow up on your application once they receive it, assuming you included a phone number on your application. Otherwise, they'll send you a letter.

   • The caseworker might request documents from you to verify some of the information provided. This is usually necessary if the information can't be verified using data available to the state. For example, if you're self-employed, they might want additional documents from you to verify your income.
   • Let the caseworker know as soon as possible if you don't have access to the documents they've requested. They can help you get what you need so the information can be verified.
   • If the caseworker is able to verify your information electronically, you'll get a letter describing the decision they made on your application. If benefits were approved, this letter will tell you when you'll get your EBT card and when your benefits will start.
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Tips

• If your application is denied or you get less money than you think you should have, you have the right to appeal. Send a letter to your county DSS office stating that you want to appeal. Do this as soon as possible after you receive your determination letter.
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• If you own your home, it isn't included as an asset for the purpose of determining whether you qualify for food stamps.
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• If you buy and cook your food separately from the other people you live with (such as if you have roommates), you might qualify as a separate household. That means DSS only considers your income to determine whether you qualify.
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Warnings

• Do not lie or hide information to get benefits. If DSS finds out, your application will be denied and you may have to pay back any benefits you've already received.
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