NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Work First Family Assistance

Work First Family Assistance is North Carolina’s version of TANF that offers up to 60 months of temporary cash assistance to needy families with children.

Apart from cash aid, Work First provides parents with short-term training and other services to help them become employed and move toward self-sufficiency.

Unless otherwise exempt, most families receiving benefit payments are subject to mandatory work requirements of at least 35 hours per week in approved work activities.

How much cash assistance will I get in North Carolina?

The maximum monthly benefit payment for North Carolina’s Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) program depends on the number of people in the household.

How do I apply for Work First in NC?

Applications for the Work First can be made at your local Departments of Social Services in the county in which you reside ¹ or apply online with ePASS  for faster processing.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Work First Family Assistance (TANF)
(866) 719-014

North Carolina Benefit Diversion

Benefit Diversion provides short-term financial help instead of ongoing cash assistance for families facing a temporary crisis tied to employment or financial stability.

In North Carolina, eligible families may choose to receive a one-time lump-sum payment equal to a maximum of three months of Work First benefits.

Families who are experiencing financial emergency may also be eligible for Emergency Assistance  to pay for housing, utilities, food, gas, and/or medicine.

Emergency Assistance is limited to nonrecurring, short-term benefits and is designed to deal with a specific episode of need.

North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services

North Carolina’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is an entitlement program that helps eligible North Carolinians purchase the food they need for a nutritionally adequate and well-balanced diet.

Families are issued an EBT card and pay for their groceries at any USDA authorized retailer by using the card, which works like a debit card, at the checkout counter.

Elderly age 65 or older who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be eligible for Simplified Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), a simplified version of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

How much SNAP will I get in NC?

The amount of SNAP benefit you will receive largely depends upon your household size and income. For example, eligible family of three in North Carolina with little or no income may receive up to $808 per month.

How do I apply for food stamps in NC?

North Carolina residents can use an online tool called ePASS  to submit an application or apply in person at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office. ¹

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP)
(866) 719-0141

North Carolina Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

North Carolina WIC provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals for health care, at no cost.

WIC serves low-income, nutritionally at risk:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women
• Infants
• Toddlers and children up to age 5

What is the income limit for WIC in North Carolina?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC serves women, infants, and children in North Carolina whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.² That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

Families receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.

How do I apply for WIC in NC?

To apply for WIC in North Carolina, you must contact your local county health department or WIC agency to schedule an appointment.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
WIC County Directory 
(844) 601-6881

North Carolina Medicaid

North Carolina Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford health care costs. It serves low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

In 2023, North Carolina became the 40th state to expand Medicaid, as a result, many uninsured adults in the state will now be eligible for coverage with higher incomes.

Most beneficiaries are enrolled under NC Medicaid Managed Care  where they choose or are assigned to a health plan and receive care through the health plan’s network of doctors and health professionals.

Under NC Medicaid Managed Care, beneficiaries may enroll in one of several health plan types, including:

1. Standard Plans
2. Tailored Plans
3. EBCI Tribal Option
4. Children and Families Specialty Plan
5. NC Medicaid Direct

What is the income limit for Medicaid in North Carolina?

North Carolina expanded who can get Medicaid starting December 1, 2023. Adults ages 19 through 64 earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,142 per month for a family of three, may be eligible. Higher limits apply for children and pregnant women.

How do I apply for NC Medicaid Online?

Applications may be submitted online through ePASS  which is North Carolina’s web-based self service tool that allows you to submit a Medicaid/NCHC application online.

For a list of doctors for each health plan, call (833) 870-5500 or use the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app to find and view primary care providers (PCPs) and health plans.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Contact Center
(888) 245-0179

North Carolina Health Choice for Children

NC Health Choice has moved to Medicaid. Effective April 1, 2023, children receiving NC Health Choice coverage will move to NC Medicaid, helping families save money and increase access to care. ³

Families with children moving from NC Health Choice to Medicaid will no longer have to pay enrollment fees or copays for medical visits and prescriptions. They will also have access to enhanced behavioral health services not previously covered by NC Health Choice.

North Carolina Child Care Subsidy Program

North Carolina’s Child Care Subsidy Program provides subsidized child care for income-eligible families who need help paying for child care through a voucher program.

Most families are required to pay a percentage of their child care costs based upon their gross monthly income — usually no more than 10% if applicable.

Funding for this program is limited, parents requesting financial assistance for child care are often placed on a waiting list until more funding becomes available.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in North Carolina?

A family in North Carolina is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. For a family of three, that’s about $3,028.

The eligibility for any child with special needs, including any child from birth to age 5, is set at 200% of the federal poverty level.

How do I apply for child care assistance in North Carolina?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, contact your County Child Care Worker ⁴ to schedule an appointment. If you are deemed eligible, the agency will issue a Child Care Voucher for each eligible child.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Child Development and Early Education
(800) 859-0829

North Carolina Section 8

The waitlist for applications may be closed, please monitor this website  for updates on application openings.

North Carolina Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to assist very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market.

Available areas include the counties of Granville, Person, Sampson and Warren. Rent assistance is also provided on a limited basis to eligible families in Halifax and Columbus counties.

Who is eligible for Section 8 in NC?

The program covers families with income up to 50% of the median income level but priority is given to families with 30% or below who are considered extremely low income.

For additional information, please call (984) 236-0160. If you want to inquire about your position on the waiting list, call (501) 404-4133.

North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

North Carolina’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time payment to help eligible households pay their heating and cooling bills.

Benefits range from $300 to $500, depending on household income and energy costs. Priority is given to households with elderly members, disabled members, and/or households with young children.

Families and individuals experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis may apply for assistance through the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP). ⁵

What is the income limit for LIEAP in North Carolina?

North Carolina set its eligibility for heating and cooling assistance at 130% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s about $2,960 per month.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in NC?

Contact your local DSS office ¹ for the application dates and for additional information on LIEAP. Applications can also be submitted online through ePASS .

Households with a Native American adult living in any of the counties listed below should apply through the corresponding agency:

Households including a person aged 60 or older or disabled persons are eligible to sign up for assistance starting on December 1, 2026. All other households may apply from January 2, 2027 to March 31, 2027 or until available funds are depleted.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(866) 674-6327

North Carolina Next NC Scholarship

The North Carolina Community College Grant (NCCCG) has been largely consolidated into a newer, simplified program called the Next NC Scholarship.

Next NC Scholarship  is a financial aid program that helps North Carolinia residents earning $80,000 or less pursue higher education at any of the 58 community colleges across the state.

Eligibility is based on their Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA. Full-time students with an SAI of 7,500 or less may receive awards on a sliding scale, subject to fund availability.

Students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000 per year or $5,000 per year for those attending a public university in North Carolina.

For priority consideration, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 1 for UNC System universities and August 15 for NC community colleges.

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC)
(866) 866-2362