While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The North Carolina SNAP food assistance program, known as Food and Nutrition Services or Food Stamps, is administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Learn more about SNAP on the North Carolina DHHS website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each additional household member | +211 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in North Carolina, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in North Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about North Carolina’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services, also known as Food Stamps or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a video of what you need to apply on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on North Carolina’s ePass Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest North Carolina Department of Social Services office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the SNAP paper application found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the Department of Social Services office nearest you. For a list of local offices, click here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the North Carolina customer service line at 1 (800) 662-7030 or send a request through the Social Services Contact form found here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
If you applied in person at a local Social Services office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.
If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. The day of the month your benefits are allotted will depend on the last digit of your Social Security Number, which you can learn more about here.
To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 622-7328. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Social Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send all necessary documents to the following address:
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
For more information on the appeal process, click here to read the North Carolina Handbook on Public Assistance Appeals.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or1 (888) 622-7328. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (866) 719-0141 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call North Carolina’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 622-7328.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in North Carolina.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) customer service line at 1 (800) 662-7030.
You can also send your inquiries through the contact request form found here.
To send the North Carolina Department of Health and Welfare information physically, you can mail documents using the following address:
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
You can also visit or call a local Social Services Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Note: Due to COVID-19 these hours may differ, so it is recommended to call ahead and verify your local office’s operating hours.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 25, 2022
North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services, also known as Food Stamps or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a video of what you need to apply on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on North Carolina’s ePass Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest North Carolina Department of Social Services office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the SNAP paper application found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the Department of Social Services office nearest you. For a list of local offices, click here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the North Carolina customer service line at 1 (800) 662-7030 or send a request through the Social Services Contact form found here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
If you applied in person at a local Social Services office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.
If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. The day of the month your benefits are allotted will depend on the last digit of your Social Security Number, which you can learn more about here.
To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 622-7328. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Social Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send all necessary documents to the following address:
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
For more information on the appeal process, click here to read the North Carolina Handbook on Public Assistance Appeals.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or1 (888) 622-7328. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (866) 719-0141 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call North Carolina’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 622-7328.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in North Carolina.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) customer service line at 1 (800) 662-7030.
You can also send your inquiries through the contact request form found here.
To send the North Carolina Department of Health and Welfare information physically, you can mail documents using the following address:
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
You can also visit or call a local Social Services Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Note: Due to COVID-19 these hours may differ, so it is recommended to call ahead and verify your local office’s operating hours.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 25, 2022
