Requirements for food stamps in North Carolina are helmed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefit distribution process. Food stamps requirements must be met by all applicants who wish to receive assistance in the state to purchase food and groceries. NC food stamps eligibility begins with determining an applicant’s income, citizenship and state residency. In addition, to qualify for food stamps benefits, potential beneficiaries must meet the work requirements enforced by the DHHS. Once all of the NC SNAP requirements are met, applicants can progress through the process to begin receiving food stamp benefits for their qualified households. To learn more about how to qualify for food stamps in North Carolina, continue on to the below topics.

Learn About North Carolina Income Requirements for SNAP Benefits

The income requirements for food stamps in NC are of utmost importance, as the SNAP program is meant to assist low-income individuals and families. To calculate SNAP requirements for income, you must first confirm that your household meets the state’s standards. Food stamp requirements vary depending on the composition of the household. Household compositions include:

• Individuals living together who purchase and prepare food in the home
• Spouses or individuals of the same household who are married
• Individuals younger than 22 years of age who live with a parent
• Minors younger than 18 years of age under parental control
• Two unmarried individuals living together who are the parents of a mutual child.

Once your household definition is confirmed, you can review the current income guidelines to qualify for food stamp assistance to see if you meet the thresholds in place. SNAP requirements for income increase as a family unit grows. For instance, if you live alone and are applying for food stamps, you will be able to qualify for SNAP at a much lower income than a family of five.

Next, you must review the NC resource-based SNAP requirements following the determination of income. Resources that are not counted toward income eligibility for food stamp assistance include homes, buildings and land. The allowable resources to qualify for SNAP benefits are lower if you do not reside with an elderly or a disabled family member. Keep in mind, however, that some households may be subject to resource tests that will affect income eligibility prior to North Carolina SNAP benefits approval. Download our guide to review more information about requirements.

Learn About North Carolina Citizenship Requirements for SNAP Benefits

Food stamps requirements in NC also include citizenship qualifications, which are crucial to prove, as SNAP is a federal initiative. U.S. citizens can qualify for NC SNAP by providing official government documentation, such as birth certificates or valid passports. The process of how to qualify for SNAP benefits as a noncitizen requires applicants to provide current immigration documents and proof of legal presence to reside within the country.

Once legal status is supplied, SNAP eligibility requirements in NC also mandate providing a Social Security Number, as benefits are distributed through this identification channel. If you do not have a Social Security Number, in order to meet food stamp requirements, you must show proof of filing an application with the Social Security Administration prior to submitting and application for NC food stamps.

You must also prepare to meet NC residency requirements for SNAP prior to filing a food stamp application. Since eligibility for SNAP is determined on a state level and benefits are distributed based on where you live, providing proof of North Carolina residency is vital in determining your qualifications for SNAP. Prepare a government credential, like a driver’s license or a state identification card, along with documents proving your current address, such as utility bills or rent/mortgage statements, in order to fulfill this request.

Other SNAP Requirements You Must Meet in North Carolina

Eligibility for food stamps in NC goes beyond meeting initial qualifications. In fact, to qualify for North Carolina SNAP benefits, those considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) must meet work-related requirements as well. In order to maintain SNAP eligibility for benefits, any ABAWD SNAP applicant between 18 and 49 years of age is required to meet state work or job training requirements. Currently, ABAWDs must work at least 20 hours per week, attend educational courses or workforce training programs for at least 20 hours per week or do any volunteer-related community service work for at least 20 hours per week. However, to qualify for food stamp benefits in NC, disabled and elderly beneficiaries may acquire exemptions to the work mandate in the state.

Applicants Who Are Not Qualified for North Carolina SNAP Benefits

Those still wondering how to qualify for food stamps in North Carolina should learn about groups that are ineligible for benefits. For instance, students cannot meet the requirements for NC SNAP if they are enrolled in courses more than halftime (although there are certain exceptions in place). In addition, convicted felons cannot qualify for SNAP in North Carolina if they were involved in any drug trafficking cases or any drug-related felonies outside of state borders. Those unsure of whether or not they will meet qualifications for NC food assistance should confirm eligibility prior to applying, as it can be a lengthy process. To learn more about how to qualify, download our guide.