The Food and Nutrition Services Program (formerly Food Stamps) is a federal program that provides a monthly allotment of food assistance via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (debit cards) to individuals and households to help them buy the food they need for a nutritional diet. Households are issued a card to pay for their groceries at participating stores using the card at the checkout counter. Benefits cannot be used to purchase tobacco, pet food, paper products, soap products, or alcoholic beverages.
Am I eligible?
- You must be a US Citizen or qualified legal immigrant
- You must have, or have applied for, a Social Security Number
- You must meet the income and reserve requirements
Ways to apply
- Apply online
- Request that an application be mailed or emailed to you by calling 910-323-1540
- Apply in person
FNS Applications, Recertifications and Changes: FNS documents can be mailed in, dropped off using the DSS drop boxes located outside of the DSS building, dropped off at the scanning area on the 1st floor of the DSS building, faxed, submitted via the EPASS portal, or emailed 
. FNS Recertifications and requested supporting documents must be submitted by indicated due dates.
ABAWDS Effective July 1, 2016 the Food and Nutrition Program will be implementing a policy as required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This policy is known as able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD). This policy applies to individuals who are 18 years of age through age 54 (adjusted age effective October 1, 2024) who are physically and mentally fit and those who are included in a food and nutrition household that does not have a child under age 18. Individuals who do not meet an allowable exemption will be limited in the number of months they can receive FNS benefits.
For more information call 910-323-1540
Related links
Food and Nutrition Services of North Carolina
US Department of Agriculture