Food Stamp Information for North Carolina

Food and Nutritional Services (FNS) is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency that administers the nation's food assistance program. As of Oct. 1, 2008, the program name was change from Food Stamp Program to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The North Carolina Food and Nutritional Services program is managed by the North Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). The staff determines eligibility and manages the federal program at the state level.

Household

• Determining the composition of the applicant's household is an important part of assessing food assistance eligibility. Income and resource limits are established according to the number of people in a household. In some situations, multiple people living in the same residence may be classified as separate households. The relationship of the individuals to one another and the manner in which they purchase and prepare meals are key factors in determining household composition.

Income Thresholds

• Gross income is a factor in determining eligibility. DSS will request the following information for all household income: the gross amount, source of income, frequency of payment and the payday. A DSS representative verifies the information by contacting the source of the payment or reviewing pay documentation. DSS collects this information to confirm that the applicant does not exceed the established income limits. As of Oct. 1, 2009, the gross monthly income limit for a family of four is $2,389. The limits are different for applicants who are Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) recipients.

Resources Thresholds

• An applicant's assets are also a factor in determining food assistance eligibility. The applicant is required to disclose countable resource information for all members of the household. Checking accounts, savings accounts, stocks, bonds and boats are considered countable resources. A home or land that the applicant owns would not be considered as a countable resource. The FNS countable resources limit is $2,000 per household. If at least one of the members of the household is a senior or disabled, the limit is increased to $3,000.

Distribution Method

• Recipients will receive their North Carolina FNS benefits electronically. An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account is opened for the recipient upon acceptance. The electronic system replaces the paper food stamps that were issued in the past. The recipient will receive an electronic card that will allow her to access the FNS benefits. The card is used in the same manner as a debit card. The card is accepted by authorized USDA retailers. This includes most grocery chains.

Work Requirement

• The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform Act) permits North Carolina to require that non-working adults without dependent children meet certain criteria to receive food stamps. Unemployed recipients between the ages of 18 and 49 without dependent children must be available for work or a work training program. Unemployed recipients without dependent children that do not satisfy this requirement are only eligible to receive three months of food assistance. The Welfare Reform Act requirement is waived if the recipient is engaged in work activities for 20 hours per week, is pregnant or resides with a minor child under the age of 18.