SNAP

The best way to determine your eligibility for SNAP assistance is to apply; however, there are several determining factors:

• Being unemployed or having a low-paying job,

• Receiving Work First Family Assistance (WFFA), TANF, OR SSI benefits,

• Being elderly or disabled, and having low-income,

• Experiencing homelessness,

• Being an NC resident AND a U.S. citizen or having certain legal status,

Requirements:

• Must have a Social Security number or have applied for one,

• No drug-related felonies

For more information, please visit the eligibility section on the SNAP site.

H.R. 1, signed into law on July 4, 2025, made significant changes to SNAP eligibility requirements. Two changes affect North Carolina SNAP participants: expanded work requirements (effective December 1, 2025) and new non-citizen eligibility rules (effective February 1, 2026). Your county’s Department of Social Services will screen you for these changes at your next recertification.

Review the following NCDHHS flyers for more information:

• What You Need To Know: SNAP Work Requirements — English ~ Spanish

• Are You Exempt from SNAP Work Requirements? — English ~ Spanish

• Navigating SNAP Work Requirements — English ~ Spanish

• SNAP Noncitizen Eligibility — English ~ Spanish

Before applying for SNAP assistance, make sure you have the following materials for each person in the household:

• Identification for you or the head of the household,

• SSNs, birthdates, and citizenship status,

• How much money owned in personal accounts,

• Your household’s monthly bills and expenses,

• Medical bills for anyone over 60 or who is disabled,

• Proof of income,

• Paperwork or IDs from other benefits you receive.

For more information, please visit the documents section on the SNAP site.

The maximum monthly benefits a household receives depends on several factors, one of them is the household size. For more information, please visit the benefits table on the SNAP site.

Important Note: Most households do not receive the maximum monthly benefits.

Benefits are disbursed to recipients based on the last digit of their social security number (SSN).

For more information, please visit the benefits schedule table on the SNAP site.

Important Note: If you do not yet have a SSN, then benefits will be released on the 3rd day of every month.

There are two ways to check your benefits:

1. You can check your benefits on the ebtEDGE app 

2. Call the number on the back of your card: 1-888-622-7328

For more information, please visit the check your balance section on the SNAP site.

1. What places accept EBT?

   Any USDA-authorized retailer and most major grocery stores.

   To find places near you that accept SNAP, use the SNAP Retailer Locator.

2. What items can I purchase with EBT?

   You can purchase breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, bottled water, non-alcoholic beverages, and any seeds or plants that produce food.

   For more information, please visit the buy with my benefits section on the SNAP site.

3. What items can’t I purchase with EBT?

   You cannot purchase any alcoholic items, cigarettes, nonfood items, vitamins and medicines, and any hot or already prepared foods.

   For more information, please visit the buy with my benefits section on the SNAP site.

4. Who can I contact for additional help?

   For additional help, you can call the NC EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, send an online message to the Division of Social Services, or visit the NC SNAP site to find your local office for additional information.