Who is eligible for North Carolina Food Stamp Program?

An explanation of how the North Carolina Department of Social Services decides whether you are eligible for Food Stamps, and if so, the amount of Food Stamps you will receive.

The following requirements may help you determine if you are likely-eligible for SNAP benefits. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions about your eligibility. If you determine you are not likely-eligible for SNAP, MIMB staff would be happy to provide you with additional local food resources.

General Requirements:

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or have another eligible immigration status. International students are not eligible for SNAP/FNS.
Applicants must meet residency requirements.
Applicants must have a monthly income equal to or below the SNAP/FNS program limits.

Income Limits:

All households must meet an income test to receive benefits, and the income limits vary by household size. Eligibility workers at your local county Department of Social Services (DSS) will help you determine which income limit applies to your household. Eligibility workers will also evaluate other criteria, such as household composition, resources, and citizenship/immigration status to determine eligibility.

If your household meets the gross income limits below, you may be eligible for SNAP/FNS.

SNAP/FNS income limits effective October 1, 2021-September 30, 2022

Number of People in Household	Maximum Gross Income (200%)*	Maximum Benefit Amount
1	$2,148	$250
2	$2,904	$459
3	$3,660	$658
4	$4,418	$835
5	$5,174	$992
6	$5,930	$1,190
7	$6,688	$1,316
8	$7,444	$1,504
Each Additional Member	+$758	+$188

* Some individuals must meet standard gross income limits (130%), and DSS will make this determination.

Student Requirements:

If you are between the ages of 18 and 49 and are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, the following requirements may apply to you.

Student must be eligible to participate in a state or federally financed Work Study program

Student must have an expected family contribution of $0 as determined by the financial aid office of their institution of higher education.

Contact More In My Basket to apply for SNAP or for additional food assistance resources local to you.

NC State Non-Discrimination Statement

NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.

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Your local county Department of Social Services Office (DSS) eligibility workers will use application form DSS-1700 to help determine which income limit applies to your household. Eligibility requirements include:

Each applicant/recipient must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen lawfully admitted into the U.S.
Each applicant/recipient must live in North Carolina.

Each applicant/recipient must have or have applied for a Social Security number.

Some individuals must participate in Food and Nutrition Services as one household even though they purchase and prepare their meals separately.
Individuals who must participate as one household include:

Individuals living together who purchase/prepare their food together
Spouses living together or individuals representing themselves as a married couple
Individuals under the age of 22 living with a parent
Individuals under 18 under the parental control of an adult living in the home
Two unmarried adults living in the same home who are parents of a mutual child

HOUSEHOLD SIZE	130% MAXIMUM GROSS INCOME LIMIT	200% MAXIMUM GROSS INCOME LIMIT	MAXIMUM BENEFIT ALLOTMENT
1	$1,383	$2,128	$234
2	$1,868	$2,874	$430
3	$2,353	$3,620	$616
4	$2,839	$4,368	$782
5	$3,324	$5,114	$929
6	$3,809	$5,860	$1,114
7	$4,295	$6,608	$1,232
8	$4,780	$7,354	$1,408
Each Additional Member	(+486)	(+748)	(+176)

The person filing for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) does not have to be the Head of Household. An authorized representative can apply on behalf of a Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) unit (A Food and Nutrition Services unit (FNS unit) is a person or a group of people applying for or receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits.). In this situation the identity of both the authorized representative and the head of the FNS unit must be verified.

Examples of acceptable verification include but are not limited to:
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Work or school ID
- Wage stubs
- Voter registration card
- ID for health benefits
- Citizenship requirement
- Verification of receipt of other social services programs such as but not limited to Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance.
There are three ways to apply for Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps). Get prepared before completing the application. Apply as soon as possible. The sooner we receive your application the quicker you will know if you are eligible.
- Apply Online with ePASS (secure web-based, self-service tool that enables North Carolinians to both apply for and manage benefits such as Food and Nutrition Services).
  For Spanish speakers: You may complete the application process in Spanish online. Watch this video to learn about ePass in Spanish.
- Apply in Person at your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office. It helps to fill out as much of the application as possible ahead of time.
- By Mail or Turn in at Local DSS Office - Fill out a paper application form and mail to or drop it off at your local county DSS office.
A caseworker must interview you or someone you choose to represent you. The individual interviewed may be the head of household, spouse, any other adult member of the household, or an authorized representative as outlined in FNS 175 Authorized Representative.

The interview may be conducted in-person, by telephone, or video conference. This is to see if you can get Food and Nutrition Services. If you apply in person or drop off your application at the local DSS Office, you will be asked to stay for an interview. If you are unable to stay for your interview, please tell the receptionist or a caseworker so that we can schedule an interview for you.