North Carolina Work First Family Assistance
Work First Family Assistance is North Carolina’s version of TANF that offers up to 60 months of cash assistance and employment services to low-income families.
The program is intended to help parents support themselves and their families by offering 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 appropriate work activities.
FAQ
Who qualifies for Work First in NC?
To qualify for Work First in NC, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- Live in North Carolina.
- Be pregnant or have a child under age 19.
- Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
- Meet income limit based on the need standard shown below. 1
What is the income limit for Work First in NC?
In North Carolina, a family is considered “needy” when their countable income is less than $544 a month for a family of three. The limit for countable resources is $3,000.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $362 |
| 2 | $472 |
| 3 | $544 |
| 4 | $594 |
| 5 | $648 |
| 6 | $698 |
| 7 | $746 |
| 8 | $772 |
How much cash assistance will I get in North Carolina?
TANF benefits in North Carolina vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $272 per month, which is among the lowest in the nation. 2
The table below shows the monthly assistance amount for each family size.
| Household Size | Payment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $181 |
| 2 | $236 |
| 3 | $272 |
| 4 | $297 |
| 5 | $324 |
| 6 | $349 |
| 7 | $373 |
| 8 | $386 |
How do I apply for cash assistance in NC?
Applications for cash assistance through Work First can be made in person at a local DSS office in the county in which you reside 3 or apply online with ePASS for faster processing.
All applications will be screened, evaluated for eligibility, and processed, usually within forty five (45) days.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Work First Family Assistance (TANF)
(866) 719-014
What is the Benefit Diversion in NC?
Families who are experiencing a temporary financial or personal crisis may apply for Benefit Diversion as an alternative to ongoing cash assistance.
It provides a lump-sum payment, up to three months of benefits, and referrals to other services like Medicaid, child support, and child care assistance.
| Household Size | Payment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $543 |
| 2 | $708 |
| 3 | $816 |
| 4 | $891 |
| 5 | $972 |
| 6 | $1,047 |
| 7 | $1,119 |
| 8 | $1,158 |
Benefit Diversion is designed to deal with a specific crisis or episode of need. A family can only receive this one-time payment once within a 12-month period.
To apply for benefit diversion, you must first apply for Work First, as the diversion program is an option offered during the Work First application process.
Footnotes
-
NCDHSS. TANF State Plan . ↩
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The Work First monthly payment is 50% of the difference between the total countable income and the need standard based on the number of eligible family members. ↩
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Each of North Carolina’s 100 counties has a local social services agency. Select a county on the map to view the respective agency. ↩