What Do I Need To Apply For Food Stamps In Nc?

Get the information you need to apply for food stamps in North Carolina.

Checkout this video:

Applying for Food Stamps

To apply for food stamps, you will need to fill out an application and provide proof of your income and other assets. You can apply for food stamps online, in person, or by mail.

Eligibility for Food Stamps

In order to be eligible for food stamps in North Carolina, you must meet certain criteria set forth by the state. These criteria are based on many factors, including your household size, income, and resources.

To see if you might be eligible for food stamps in North Carolina, you can use their online screening tool. This will help you determine if you need to complete an application for food assistance.

Income and Asset Limits for Food Stamps

To be eligible for food stamps in North Carolina, you must meet both income and asset limits.

Income limits:
Households with 1 member: $1,276/month
Households with 2 members: $1,726/month
Households with 3 members: $2,177/month
Households with 4 members: $2,637/month
For each additional member of the household, add $460 to the monthly income limit.

Asset limits:
Your household can have up to $2,250 in countable assets. This includes cash and checking accounts, savings accounts, stocks and bonds. It does not include your home, your car or other personal belongings.

Applying for Food Stamps Online

In order to apply for food stamps online, you will need to have a valid email address and an electronic device such as a computer, laptop, or smartphone. You will also need to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, as well as be a resident of North Carolina. You will also need to have proof of income, which can include pay stubs, tax returns, or Social Security benefits statements.

Applying for Food Stamps by Mail

You may apply for food stamps by mail if you are temporarily or permanently disabled, if you are 60 years of age or older, or if you meet any other conditions that make it difficult for you to apply in person. The North Carolina Division of Social Services will send you an application packet when you request one.

You can also print an application from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website. Complete the application and return it to your county Department of Social Services office.

Applying for Food Stamps in Person

To apply for Food Stamps in person in North Carolina, you need to:
-Complete an application form (available at your local Social Services office or online at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do).
-Gather required documentation, including proof of income, proof of residence, and proof of identity.
-Submit your application and documentation to your local Social Services office.

You will be interviewed by a Social Services caseworker to determine your eligibility for the program. If you are found eligible, you will be issued a SNAP benefits card, which can be used to purchase food at participating stores.

What to Expect After Applying for Food Stamps

What to Expect After Applying for Food Stamps
It can take up to 30 days for your application for food stamps to be processed. You will be contacted by your county Department of Social Services to schedule an interview. During the interview, a caseworker will go over your application and ask you questions about your household income and expenses. Be sure to bring any supporting documentation, such as paycheck stubs or rent receipts, with you to the interview.

You will be informed of the decision on your food stamp application at the end of the interview. If you are approved for food stamps, you will receive a notice in the mail telling you how much you will receive in benefits and when they will start. If you are not approved for food stamps, you will be given a reason why and told how to appeal the decision.

Receiving Food Stamps

In order to receive food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements are based on things like your income, your family size, and your resources.

To see if you might be eligible for SNAP benefits, take a look at this pre-screening tool from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

If you are eligible for SNAP benefits, you will need to fill out an application and submit it to your local county office. You can find the application online here.

You will also need to provide proof of your identity, income, and any other required documents. Click here for a list of acceptable documents.

If you have any questions about the SNAP program or the application process, you can contact your local county office or call the NC Food Stamp Customer Service Center at 1-800-662-7030.

Appealing a Food Stamps Decision

If you are not satisfied with the decision made about your food assistance benefits, you may file an appeal. The first step in appealing is to ask for a hearing.

You can do this by calling the Division of Social Services at 1-800-662-7030 and asking to speak to a hearing officer, or by sending a letter to:

Division of Social Services
Attention: Hearing Officer
2401 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2401

You will need to state the reasons why you think the decision about your benefits is wrong. You will also need to provide any new information that was not considered when the original decision was made.

If you request a hearing, you will be given a date, time and place for the meeting. You have the right to bring someone with you to the hearing, and you have the right to have an attorney represent you if you choose.

At the hearing, both sides will present their case in front of an impartial hearing officer. The hearing officer will then make a decision based on the evidence that is presented.

If you are still not satisfied with the decision after the hearing, you may appeal that decision to Superior Court.

Using Food Stamps

If you meet the program’s eligibility criteria, you can use food stamps to buy most food items at participating stores. You cannot use them to buy alcohol, tobacco, pet food, paper products or household supplies, hot foods or foods that will be eaten in the store.

To find out if a store participates in the food stamp program, look for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) logo at the entrance. If you’re not sure, ask a store manager.

When you’re ready to check out, let the cashier know that you’ll be using food stamps. They will swipe your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card through a machine and enter the amount of your purchase. The machine will deduct the amount of your purchase from your food stamp balance and give you a receipt.