Food & Nutrition Services

The Food and Nutrition Services Program (once referred to as Food Stamps) helps low-income households with their monthly food expenses. Food Assistance is issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), which means that benefits are deposited monthly into the household's EBT account. Households are issued a card and pay for their groceries at food stores by using the card, which works like a debit card, at the checkout counter. The cost of the purchased groceries is deducted electronically from the EBT account.

There are seven food banks in the state of North Carolina as a food stamp outreach initiative. Pitt County is one of the target counties.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

Eligibility


To receive Food & Nutrition Services Assistance, you must meet certain requirements:
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified legal immigrant.
  • You must have or apply for a Social Security number.
  • You must meet the income and reserve requirements.

Eligibility Requirements


The following chart describes the SNAP and Food and Nutrition Services Eligibility Requirements criteria.

Note: In reference to the "What's Needed" column on the chart, if we are unable to establish eligibility for assistance, additional information may be required.

Eligibility Requirement
 What's Needed
How Often
Address / Living With / Living Arrangement
Contact with someone knowledgeable of your situation, lease, or rental agreement
 At application, review, change in situation, or if moving
Age
 Birth certificate / date of birth
 Client's statement acceptable
Assets / Resources Ownership and tax records / bank and court documents At application, review, or change in situation
Citizenship/ Alien Status Verification of citizenship / alien status via Immigration and Naturalization Service At application or whenever appropriate
Emancipation Marriage certificate, court records, or Military ID
 As needed
Gas and Electric Bills Copy of bills At application, review, and change in situation
Health Insurance Seeing policy or card As needed
Identity Contact with someone knowledgeable of your situation, or ID At application or if questionable
Income:
Wages / Self-Employment Public Benefits / Private Retirement Benefits / Trust, etc.		 Wage stubs, tax forms contacting employer, documents from provider,  or award letter At application, review, or change in situation
Kinship Client statement or contact with someone knowledgeable of your situation At application, review, or change in situation
Pregnancy Statement from doctor At application or as needed
Social Security Number Valid social security card or number At application or until received
Student Status Bank records or student's financial records At application or as needed
Work Capacity Medical statement from doctor As needed

Food & Nutrition Services Application

 
 Apply for Food and Nutrition Services at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do.
  
To find out what to bring with you to a Food and Nutrition Services application, please click on the attached link Food and Nutrition Services Interview Information (PDF).  

Additional Information


For more information contact your local county Department of Social Services.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BENEFITS

While your benefit amounts may be consistent, often times the challenges of life are not. That is why FNS benefits budgeting and management techniques are vital to ensuring you get the most out of your available funds. Below are some valuable resources to help you manage your benefits: