• Food & Nutrition Services (formerly the Food Stamp Program)
  
• Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
  
• Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
  

The Food Stamp Program has a new name!  In 2007, the Food Stamp program was renamed the Food and Nutrition Services Program.  The name change reflects the elimination of paper "food stamps" and the use of eletronic benefit transfer cards to access benefits.

The Food and Nutrition Services Program (FNS) provides assistance to households with limited income and resources. The limits are different, depending on the number and ages of persons in the home. The FNS benefit amount is based on the amount of income available to the household members who buy and cook their food together. Benefits cannot be used to purchase items such as detergents, paper products, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages. 

Want more information?
More FNS Program Information
FNS Eligibility Requirements
FNS Eligibility Pre-Screening Tool
How To Apply For Food & Nutrition Services

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the method North Carolina uses to issue Food & Nutrition Services benefits. The FNS benefits are placed in an EBT or E-Funds account each month. FNS recipient households use a plastic magnetic stripe card, much like a credit or debit card, to buy food at USDA authorized grocery stores. Once an FNS application is processed, the head of household is sent an EBT card.

Recipients who are handicapped or physically unable to shop for themselves can name someone they trust as an authorized representative. The representative will get an EBT card that has full access to the recipient's account and be able to shop for them. Anyone needing such a representative should contact his/her Case Manager to obtain the necessary paperwork.

As long as the FNS case is active, the benefits will be available in the EBT account by 9:00 a.m. on the same day each month (even if that day is a weekend or a holiday.) The availability schedule is based on the last digit of the head of household's Social Security number.

To check the balance in an EBT account or to report an EBT card has been lost, stolen or damaged, recipients should call E-Funds Customer Service at 1-888-622-7328. Balances can be checked online at the E-Funds web site.
Want more information?
Frequently Asked Questions about EBT

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides for a one-time cash payment to help eligible households to pay a portion of their heating bills.  Some Food & Nutrition Services recipient households are "automatically" eligible based on information found in the Food & Nutrition Services system during a computer data match completed on September 30.  Any resident of Mecklenburg County (including FNS households that are not automatically eligible) can apply for the program during the mandatory application taking period the first two weeks of November.  The LIEAP checks are mailed to the recipients on January 31.

Want more information?
LIEAP Question Hotline: 704-353-1336
More information on the LIEAP Program
Energy Assistance Programs in NC Brochure

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