Food & Nutrition Services: Eligibility & Requirements Guidance

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is North Carolina's name for the federal SNAP program, also known as Food Stamps. It helps eligible individuals and families supplement their food budget. Approved applicants get monthly benefits on an EBT card, which works like a debit card and can be used at grocery stores, some farmers' markets, and other retailers that accept EBT.

Eligibility is based on income, household size, assets, and other factors. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee approval for benefits. Each application is reviewed individually by the county Department of Social Services (DSS).

You may qualify if you:

Have no job or a low-paying job; receive Work First Family Assistance (WFFA), TANF (welfare), or SSI benefits (for people with disabilities); are elderly or disabled with low income; or are experiencing homelessness.

Other requirements:

Applicants must be North Carolina residents and U.S. citizens or have qualifying legal status. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible. A Social Security number is required, or proof that one has been applied for. Individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies may not be eligible. Most college students are not eligible unless they meet specific work requirements or qualify for an exception. Able-bodied adults without dependents may need to work or participate in a work program to keep receiving benefits.

What you'll need to apply:

For each household member, be ready to provide identification for the head of household (driver's license, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID); Social Security numbers, birthdates, and citizenship status; records of income, cash, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts; monthly household bills including childcare, child support, and disabled adult care; medical bills for anyone over 60 or with a disability; proof of income for each household member; and paperwork or IDs from other benefits received, such as Medicaid, SSI, or WFFA/TANF.

How to apply:

You can apply online through ePASS (you will need to create an account first), in person at your local DSS office, or by mail with a paper application. After you submit your application, a caseworker will contact you to schedule an interview. This interview can be in person, by phone, or by video conference. For online applications, you are usually contacted within a few days. For in-person or mailed applications, the interview may happen at drop-off or at a later date.

Ready to apply? Download the FNS/SNAP Application (DSS-8207)

Source: NCDHHS — Apply for Food and Nutrition Services and FNS Eligibility