North Carolina SNAP
| North Carolina | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year | October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 |
| Maximum monthly benefit | $306 for one person, $808 for a family of three1 |
| Gross income limit | 200% of the federal poverty level: $2,660 per month for one person, $4,553 for a family of three |
| Resource limit | No limit for categorically eligible households, which include most households that meet the income limit; otherwise $3,000, or $4,750 when a member is age 60 or older or has a disability2 |
| Where to apply | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services |
Estimate your monthly benefit with our North Carolina SNAP calculator.
North Carolina’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is an entitlement program that helps eligible North Carolinians afford 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.
Benefits can be used for most food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and cereals, as well as seeds and plants to grow food.
As a condition of eligibility, all SNAP recipients in North Carolina who aren’t exempt must either meet the general SNAP work rules or the ABAWD work rules. 3
FAQ
Who is eligible for SNAP in North Carolina?
In order to qualify for FNS, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Live in North Carolina
- Be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident
- Show proof of identity
- Meet income limits and other financial eligibility rules
- Have less than $3,000 in resources or $4,750 if at least one member is elderly or disabled (categorically eligible households are not subject to this test)
What is the asset limit for SNAP in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) policy manual states that a categorically eligible household automatically passes the resource test, and a household with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level that has been notified of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funded services is categorically eligible.2
A household that is not categorically eligible is subject to the resource limit of $3,000, or $4,750 when a member is age 60 or older or has a disability.1
How much is SNAP in North Carolina?
For the period through September 30, 2027, a family of three may receive up to $808 per month with no income or about $508 per month if the family has a net monthly income of $1,000.
| Household Size | SNAP Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
What is the income limit for SNAP in NC?
Most families in North Carolina with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $4,553 per month for a family of three, may qualify for food stamps. Most households in North Carolina have no asset limit.
| Household Size | 100%Net Income | 200%Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $1,803 | $3,607 |
| 3 | $2,277 | $4,553 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $5,500 |
| 5 | $3,223 | $6,447 |
| 6 | $3,697 | $7,393 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $8,340 |
| 8 | $4,643 | $9,287 |
What can I deduct from my income for SNAP in North Carolina?
SNAP subtracts deductions from gross income to arrive at net income. The monthly benefit equals the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income. A household of one or two people that qualifies receives at least $24 per month.4
| Deduction | Amount for fiscal year 2027 |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $217 for one to three people, $229 for four, $268 for five and $308 for six or more |
| Earned income deduction | 20% of earned income |
| Dependent care | Actual cost of care needed for work, training or school |
| Medical expenses | Out-of-pocket costs above $35 per month, for a household member age 60 or older or with a disability |
| Excess shelter | Shelter costs above half of the income remaining after other deductions, limited to $769 per month unless a member is age 60 or older or has a disability |
| Homeless shelter | $205.66 standard deduction for eligible households |
Shelter costs include rent or mortgage payments and utilities. A household that pays heating or cooling costs may use the standard utility allowance in place of actual bills.1
How much food stamps for a family of 3 in North Carolina?
A household of 3 with $2,000 in monthly earned income and $1,000 in monthly rent, and that pays heating costs, receives $624 per month in SNAP benefits. The benefit is the maximum allotment for 3 people, $808, minus 30% of the net income that remains after the deductions in the table below.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly income | $2,000 |
| Earned income deduction (20%) | −$400 |
| Standard deduction (household of 3) | −$217 |
| Income after those deductions | $1,383 |
| Shelter costs: $1,000 rent plus $768 standard utility allowance | $1,768 |
| Half of income after those deductions | $691.50 |
| Excess shelter deduction ($1,076.50, limited to the $769 cap) | −$769 |
| Net income | $614 |
| 30% of net income | $184 |
| Monthly benefit (maximum allotment minus $184) | $624 |
The figures are estimates. The county department of social services determines the actual benefit after verifying income and expenses. The standard utility allowance is the fiscal year 2026 amount published by the Food and Nutrition Service.1
Who must meet the SNAP work rules in North Carolina?
NCDHHS applies the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit, effective December 1, 2025, to adults ages 18 to 64 who are physically and mentally able to work and who do not live in a household with a child under age 14.
Without an exemption, an adult who does not work, volunteer or take part in approved activities for 80 hours per month may receive SNAP for only three months in a 36-month period.
The current period runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027. Separately, people ages 16 to 59 must meet the general work registration rules.5
How can SNAP recipients meet the work rules in North Carolina?
NCDHHS counts the following toward the 80-hour monthly requirement, alone or in combination:5
- Paid work, including part-time, temporary, gig and self-employment
- Unpaid work, such as work done in exchange for goods, services or housing
- Volunteer work for a nonprofit, church, community organization or government agency
- Training, education and supervised job search through the More Than a Job NC program
Job search alone does not count.5
Which adults are exempt from the SNAP work rules in North Carolina?
NCDHHS lists the following exemptions from the ABAWD time limit, among others:5
- Being under age 18 or age 65 or older
- Living in a household with a child under age 14
- Pregnancy
- Receiving disability benefits from any source
- Being physically or mentally unfit for employment, meaning unable to work 20 hours per week
- Experiencing homelessness
- Being a recent survivor of domestic violence
- Caring for a child under age 6 or an incapacitated person
County caseworkers must screen for exemptions at every application and recertification and must allow at least 10 days to provide verification.5
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. 6
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP)
(866) 719-0141
How long does it take to get approved for food stamps in NC?
Once your application is received and information verified, you’ll get a notice of your eligibility no later than 30 days. In some emergency cases, you may get “expedited benefits” in seven days or less.
Simplified Nutritional Assistance Program
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 Regular Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).
To be eligible for Simplified SNAP, applicants must
- Reside in North Carolina
- Be age 65 or older
- Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Not receive Food and Nutrition Services, Food Stamps, or SNAP in another state
North Carolina checks the State Data Exchange (SDX) every month to identify older adults who may be eligible for Simplified SNAP. Those identified through this process are automatically mailed a SNAP application.
Footnotes
-
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP Fiscal Year 2027 Maximum Allotments and Deductions, and SNAP Standard Utility Allowances by State. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, FNS 220 Categorical Eligibility. ↩ ↩2
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ABAWD recipients aged 18-64 must work at least 80 hours a month or participate in qualifying programs to be eligible for SNAP benefits. ↩
-
Legal Information Institute, 7 CFR 273.9, Income and deductions. ↩
-
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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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. ↩
About this information
SingleMotherGuide.com is an independent state-by-state reference guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Program amounts and income limits are compiled from official federal and state sources, which are cited on the page, and are reviewed periodically and updated as those sources change.
The information is provided for general guidance and is not legal or financial advice. The administering agency makes the final determination of eligibility and benefit amounts. To report an error, please contact us.
Data freshness
Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may change; refer to the cited sources for the most current information.
- Last updated
- Updated by
- Ada Hu