North Carolina Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

North Carolina Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – To tackle food insecurity, low-income families and people across the US rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people eat healthier and has positive effects on their health. When you apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in North Carolina, you can have monthly payments sent to your EBT card via the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Program. In order to promote health and stability, this lifeline guarantees that at-risk populations can buy food. The program deeply appreciate the role that FNS plays in North Carolina’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how it improves people’s lives and the communities they live in.

If you are a senior living in New York, eligible for New York SNAP. visit the application process for the program.

Key Takeaways

1. North Carolina residents can apply for SNAP benefits online or at local social services offices, with potential to receive benefits within 30 days, and under urgent circumstances, as quickly as seven days.
2. Applicants must be permanent residents of North Carolina, meet specific income limits (e.g., a household of four must earn below $36,075 annually), and possess assets within set thresholds.
3. The EBT card allows the purchase of essential food items like bread, cereals, and meats at approved retailers but excludes non-food items and ready-to-eat foods.
4. EBT cards are accepted at participating farmers’ markets, often paired with incentives like Double Up Food Bucks, which doubles the value of SNAP spent on eligible items, enhancing the purchasing power for fresh produce.
5. The FNS program addresses specific needs of college students, seniors, and disabled individuals by adjusting eligibility criteria and benefits to accommodate their unique circumstances.

What is the Food & Nutrition Service in North Carolina?

Eligible low-income individuals and households in North Carolina get monthly food assistance via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from the Food & Nutrition Service (FNS), generally known as the Food Stamp Program. At participating retailers, you can use these rewards to buy almost any food item. Better nutrition and less hunger are the goals of the program. You can apply online or at your county’s social services office, and you should expect to get your benefits within 30 days. Depending on the situation, you can get your advantages faster than seven days. Criteria for eligibility include income, household size, and resources, there are additional requirements for those with disabilities and elders. For more information, you can check the official website at here

What is the North Carolina EBT card?

The North Carolina Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is a payment method offered to qualified families and individuals participating in the Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Program, previously known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The card is designed to be used like a debit card and can be used to buy certain food goods at approved retailers, such as grocery shops and farmer’s markets. Users have a discreet and easy way to obtain their benefits because they are loaded into the EBT card monthly.

Food goods such as bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, chicken, dairy products, bottled water, and non-alcoholic drinks are among those that recipients of the North Carolina EBT card can purchase.  Some things cannot be purchased with EBT benefits, including alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, vitamins, medications, hot foods, and non-food items such as pet food and home supplies.

Household size, income, and other qualifying criteria specified by the FNS Program are used to provide the EBT card to eligible people and families. Using the customer care number on the card or by accessing their account online, recipients can do things like check their North Carolina EBT card benefit balance, report lost or stolen North Carolina EBT card, update their PIN, and access other account information.

For more information regarding North Carolina EBT card benefits and processing procedure click here.

Maximum North Carolina EBT card benefits

All households are subject to the yearly review of The maximum Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits in North Carolina, based on household size. The Food & Nutrition Service program income limit needs verifying. The following are the maximum monthly benefits: Households with one person pay $250, two people $459, three people $658, and four people $835. The benefit amount is increased by $188 for every extra person.

The maximum monthly benefit amount for a family of four in North Carolina, for instance, is $835. Under a special USDA permission that is provided monthly and can cease at any time, all eligible households received the full benefit amount throughout the COVID-19 epidemic, regardless of income. At its conclusion, payments will once again be determined by income and deductions, which might result in a reduction for certain households. You can check the monthly income limit here if you want to know the Maximum North Carolina EBT card benefits for your family composition.

Eligibility requirement for the Food & Nutrition Service program in North Carolina

In order to participate in North Carolina’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) program, you must meet the following criteria

Permanent residency

North Carolina residency is a requirement for applicants. This person must be a permanent resident of the state.

Salary Limits

A family income below the set limitations is required of all applicants. There is a yearly adjustment to these restrictions that takes family size into account. A household of four, for instance, needs an income of less than $36,075, but a household of one needs an income of less than around $17,667.

Resource Limits

Every household has its own set of resource limitations. Those who do not have a handicapped or senior family member must have a total of less than $2,001 in liquid assets. There is a cap of $3,001 for households that include a senior or somebody with a disability.

Legal Status and Citizenship

Candidates must either hold a valid immigration status or be citizens of the United States. Those living in the same home as an undocumented immigrant will not be eligible for benefits, but other family members can be able to get them.

Special Circumstances

Different eligibility requirements and benefit computations can apply to individuals with special needs, such as those who are over the age of 60, handicapped, or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In order to qualify, people who do not have any dependents can also have to fulfill certain employment criteria. By adhering to these standards, we can be sure that the Food Stamps program is helping individuals who really need it to guarantee that they have access to nutritious food.

You can also check the eligibility criteria of the New Hampshire Food Stamp Program, for getting food assistance.

Use of North Carolina EBT card and Food & Nutrition Service Program 

You can buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and bottled water with a North Carolina EBT card. Non-alcoholic drinks and food-producing seeds and plants qualify. You can’t use the card to buy alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, prepared foods, vitamins, prescriptions, pet food, soaps, or housekeeping items.

Use of North Carolina EBT card at farmer’s market

Farmers’ markets let you buy fresh, local vegetables and other qualified foods with your North Carolina EBT card. Many farmers’ markets accept EBT cards, allowing you to buy healthy fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats. Vendors with “We accept SNAP benefits” signage are participating. Incentives like Double Up Food Bucks, matching EBT spending, add value to your benefits. It helps local farmers and improves your access to fresh, wholesome food.

Food & Nutrition Service Program  for college students

College students confront unique hurdles in receiving FNS food aid. College students are usually disqualified unless they complete employment requirements or qualify. Students can need work-study or job requirements to qualify. Additionally, they must meet program income and resource constraints. FNS benefits are rarely available to undocumented immigrants. College students often struggle to understand qualifying requirements and navigate the application process, emphasizing the need for campus awareness and support programs to combat food poverty.

Food & Nutrition Service Program  for seniors and disabled

The Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) Program helps elders and disabled people get nutritional food. Seniors and disabled people have $3,750 in resources, excluding their house, and personalized income limitations. These families can additionally deduct medical costs exceeding $35. The initiative helps disadvantaged populations eat healthier. Many grocery businesses and farmers’ markets accept USDA-authorized EBT cards for monthly FNS payouts.

College students living in New Jersey are also responsible for giving financial assistance through New Jersey EBT Families First Card.

How to apply for the Food & Nutrition Service Program online?

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Program has an easy online application process that only requires a few short steps to finish.

Take a look at ePASS online

Visit ePASS.nc.gov to access the North Carolina ePASS site. To apply for FNS and other benefits, you must use this official online portal.

Establish Your Profile

Sign up for an account if this is your first visit. To start an account, go to the “Create Account” page and type in your details (name, email, password, etc.). Log in with your credentials if you already have an account.

Launch a Brand-New Program

After you’ve logged in, go to the Food and Nutrition Services menu and choose the option to begin a new application. In order to gather the required information and establish your eligibility, the system will lead you through a sequence of questions.

Give details about your home

Please include specifics on your home, such as the number of individuals living there, their ages, and any relationships between them and you. Make sure you have everyone’s salary and Social Security numbers on hand.

Report All Revenue and Expenses

Your household’s total income should include earnings, disability benefits, pensions, and any other sources of income. Rent, electricity, child support, and medical expenditures are all legitimate bills, so be sure to include that information as well.

Evaluate Your Application and Send It In

Take your time and double-check that everything you have entered is correct. Send in your application after confirmation. Along with a confirmation message, you should expect to see information on how to monitor the progress of your application and any further actions that can be required. If you are living in Nevada, and looking for a food assistance program, check the Nevada SNAP program.

Contact information for the Food & Nutrition Service Program

Phone

For general questions and help, call the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-662-7030 or your county DSS office.

Address

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Division of Social Services

820 S. Boylan Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

Website

For more information, visit the official website at NC DHHS Food and Nutrition Services.

Conclusion 

For North Carolina families and people struggling with food insecurity, the Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) Program, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides a guiding light. Better health outcomes and community stability are fostered by FNS’s distribution of EBT cards and strict adherence to eligibility requirements, including guarantee access to vital nutrients. By expressing its appreciation to the program’s leaders and beneficiaries, North Carolina acknowledges the critical role of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in providing food and improving living conditions for its citizens. Let us remain united in our pursuit of a world where everyone can thrive and eat healthy food.

If you are interested in knowing about the different SNAP programs based on different states of the US, then please visit our SNAP program page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I buy with my North Carolina EBT card

Items like as breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy goods, bottled water, and non-alcoholic drinks can all be bought with your North Carolina EBT card. Nevertheless, the card is not valid for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco goods, foods that are hot or prepared, vitamins, medications, pet food, laundry detergent, or other home staples.

Can I use a North Carolina EBT card to buy seeds

Yes, Plants and seeds for future food production can indeed be purchased using the North Carolina EBT card. The capacity to cultivate one’s own produce encourages self-sufficiency and better dietary choices via the beneficiaries.

Can I use my North Carolina EBT card out of state

Yes, It is possible to use an EBT card issued in North Carolina outside of the state. SNAP benefits are usually accepted at approved businesses around the country, such as supermarkets and grocery stores.

Can I use my North Carolina EBT card at farmers markets

Yes, SNAP benefits can be used at farmers’ markets in North Carolina that accept the EBT card. You can get your hands on fresh, locally grown vegetables and other program-eligible foods at many farmer’s markets. Be on the lookout for “We accept SNAP benefits” signage at participating suppliers.