How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in North Carolina

If your SNAP (Food and Nutrition Services) benefits in North Carolina are denied, reduced, or stopped and you believe the decision is wrong, you usually have the right to ask for an appeal or “fair hearing.”

This guide explains how that process typically works in North Carolina, what to expect, and how to move your case forward through official state and county agencies. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; it is not a government office and cannot file appeals or applications for you.

Understanding SNAP and Fair Hearings in North Carolina

In North Carolina, SNAP is usually called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). It is managed through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and county social services departments.

A fair hearing (sometimes just called an appeal) is a formal process where:

• You can challenge a decision made about your FNS case.
• A hearing officer or similar official, who was not involved in your original decision, reviews the facts.
• You can explain your side, submit documents, and often appear in person or by phone.

Common decisions people appeal include:

• Denial of SNAP/FNS benefits
• Reduction in benefit amount
• Termination of benefits
• Overpayment notices (letters saying you were paid too much and must pay it back)
• Sanctions (for example, being told you are disqualified for a certain period)

Your Right to Appeal SNAP Decisions in North Carolina

Most SNAP households in North Carolina have the right to:

• Request a fair hearing if they disagree with a decision.
• Ask questions about how the decision was made.
• Review their case file and copies of documents the county used to decide.
• Have someone help them, such as a friend, relative, social worker, or legal aid representative.
• Use an interpreter if they do not speak English well or are deaf or hard of hearing.

These rights come from federal SNAP regulations and state rules, which the county agencies and NCDHHS must follow.

Deadlines: How Long You Have to Request a Hearing

Deadlines are critical. If you miss them, you may lose your right to appeal that decision.

In North Carolina, timelines can vary slightly depending on the type of decision, but in many situations:

• You often have 90 days from the date on the notice to request a fair hearing about a denial, reduction, or termination of SNAP/FNS benefits.
• To keep your current benefits going while you appeal, you may need to request a hearing within 10 days of the notice date (or within the time listed on your notice).

Because exact timeframes can change and may differ by situation:

• Always read your notice carefully.
  It should list:
  • The effective date of the action
  • The deadline for requesting a hearing
  • Where and how to submit your appeal request

If anything is unclear, you can call your county department of social services (DSS) and ask staff to explain the deadline.

When You Can Ask for a Fair Hearing

You can usually request a SNAP/FNS hearing in North Carolina if:

• You believe the county made a mistake with your income, household size, expenses, or other information.
• You think the county did not follow rules or treated you unfairly.
• You got a notice that:
  • Denies your application
  • Approves you for less than you believe you qualify for
  • Ends your benefits
  • Says you owe money back due to an alleged overpayment
  • Imposes a disqualification or penalty
• The county does not act on your application or recertification within the required processing time, and you think there has been an unreasonable delay.

You do not have to know exactly which rule was broken. It is enough that you disagree with the decision or think something is wrong.

How to Request a SNAP/FNS Fair Hearing in North Carolina

The exact process can vary slightly by county, but most people in North Carolina can request a hearing in these ways:

1. Submit a Written Request

You can typically write a short letter or statement that includes:

• Your name
• Your address and phone number
• Your case number (if available)
• A clear statement that you want a fair hearing or appeal
• The decision you are appealing (for example: “denial of my FNS application dated [date]”)

You can:

• Hand-deliver it to your local county DSS office
• Mail it to your county DSS
• In some counties, fax or email may also be accepted; check with your county office directly

Ask for a receipt or time-stamped copy if you deliver in person.

2. Request a Hearing In Person

You can also go to your county DSS and:

• Tell a worker at the front desk you want to appeal or request a fair hearing
• Fill out any county appeal form, if they provide one
• Ask them to file it right away and to give you a copy

3. Request a Hearing by Phone

Some counties allow you to:

• Call your county DSS and tell them you want a hearing.

If you do this:

• Write down the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
• Still consider following up in writing, if possible, so you have documentation.

4. Ask for Help Filing the Request

If you have trouble writing or understanding the process, you can:

• Ask DSS staff to help you write your request
• Ask a trusted friend or family member to help you
• Contact legal aid or another advocacy organization for guidance

What to Include in Your Fair Hearing Request

Your request does not need to be complicated. Typical helpful details include:

• Your full name as it appears on your SNAP/FNS case
• Your case or client ID number
• Your mailing address and a reliable phone number
• The decision you are appealing and the date on the notice
• A short statement like:
  • “I disagree with the decision to deny my FNS application.”
  • “I disagree with the reduction in my FNS benefits.”
  • “I disagree with the claim that I was overpaid.”

You do not have to explain everything or cite specific laws in your request. You can give more details later during the hearing.

What Happens After You Request a SNAP Hearing

After you submit your request, the typical steps in North Carolina are:

1. Acknowledgment and Scheduling

• The county DSS usually forwards your request to the appropriate state hearing office.
• You should receive a written notice with:
  • The date and time of the hearing
  • Whether the hearing will be in person, by phone, or by video
  • Instructions on how to participate
  • Information about your rights at the hearing

2. Pre-Hearing Review (Optional but Common)

Often, before the hearing happens:

• The county may review your case again.
• Sometimes, if they see an error, they may change the decision before the hearing.
• You may be contacted to clarify information or submit new documents.

You are not required to accept a compromise or revised decision if you still believe it is wrong. You can proceed to the hearing.

3. Accessing Your Case File

You usually have the right to:

• Review your case file before the hearing
• Request copies of documents the county will use

Ask your county DSS how to schedule a time to review your file or get copies.

4. The Hearing Itself

At the hearing:

• A hearing officer or similar official runs the meeting.
• It may be:
  • In person at a specified location
  • By phone
  • By video, depending on the system in place

You typically have the right to:

• Tell your side of the story
• Present documents (pay stubs, bills, leases, letters, etc.)
• Bring witnesses, such as someone who knows your situation
• Ask questions of the county worker or representative
• Have a representative, such as:
  • Legal aid attorney
  • Volunteer advocate
  • Family member or friend (if allowed)

The county will usually:

• Explain why it made the decision
• Present its own documents and evidence

The hearing officer may ask questions to understand the facts better.

5. The Decision

After the hearing:

• The hearing officer issues a written decision.
• You should receive this decision by mail (or as otherwise described in your notice).
• The decision will state:
  • Whether the county’s decision is upheld, changed, or reversed
  • Any actions the county must take
  • Any further appeal rights you may have under state or federal law

Keeping Your Benefits During the Appeal (Aid Continuing)

In some situations, you may be able to keep receiving your current SNAP/FNS benefits until the hearing decision is made. This is sometimes called “aid continuing.”

This usually applies when:

• You are already receiving FNS benefits, and
• You received a notice that your benefits will be reduced or stopped, and
• You request the hearing within a short deadline (often around 10 days from the date the notice was sent, or by the date the change is scheduled to take effect)

However:

• If you lose the hearing, you may have to repay any benefits you were not actually eligible for during the appeal period.

Because rules and timelines can be confusing and may change:

• Check the “important dates” and “aid continuing” sections of your notice.
• Call your county DSS to ask whether your benefits can continue while your appeal is pending.

Documents to Gather for a SNAP/FNS Appeal

Good documentation can strengthen your case. What you need depends on your situation, but common items include:

• Identification: ID card, driver’s license, or other accepted ID
• Proof of income:
  • Pay stubs
  • Self-employment records
  • Unemployment benefit statements
  • Social Security award letters
• Expense records:
  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Utility bills
  • Child care receipts
  • Child support paid or received
  • Medical bills for elderly or disabled household members
• Household information:
  • Lease showing who lives in the household
  • School enrollment letters
• Correspondence:
  • All notices from the county about your benefits
  • Any letters or emails you sent to DSS
  • Notes about phone calls (dates, times, names of workers)
• Other supporting evidence:
  • Letters from landlords or employers if there are misunderstandings
  • Records showing job loss, reduced hours, or emergencies

Keep documents organized and bring copies (not just originals) whenever possible.

Common Reasons SNAP/FNS Decisions Are Disputed

People in North Carolina often appeal SNAP/FNS decisions when they believe:

• The county miscalculated income (forgot to count pay stubs, misunderstood self-employment, etc.)
• The county did not deduct allowable expenses (rent, utilities, child care, medical costs for eligible members)
• The county mixed up household members, such as:
  • Wrong number of people in the household
  • Incorrectly including or excluding certain individuals
• The county closed a case by mistake due to missing paperwork that was actually submitted
• Language barriers or misunderstandings led to incorrect information in the file
• They got an overpayment notice that does not match what they actually received

If something in your notice does not match your records, that can be an important point to raise at the hearing.

Quick Reference: Key SNAP/FNS Appeal Points in North Carolina

Always rely on your actual notice and your county DSS for the specific rules and deadlines that apply to your case.

If You Lose the Hearing or Disagree with the Decision

If the hearing decision goes against you:

• The written decision should explain:
  • What the ruling was
  • Any further appeal or review options you may have (for example, to a state court or higher authority)
  • Any deadlines for taking those next steps

You may be able to:

• Talk with legal aid or another legal resource about whether a further appeal makes sense.
• Reapply for SNAP/FNS later if your circumstances change (for example, income drops, household size changes).

Getting Legal and Advocacy Help

You are not required to have a lawyer, but many people find it helpful, especially for more complex issues like:

• Large alleged overpayments
• Disqualifications or sanctions
• Complicated income or self-employment questions
• Situations involving disability or other special circumstances

Possible places to seek help:

• Legal aid organizations in North Carolina that handle public benefits cases
• Local nonprofit advocacy groups that work on hunger or poverty issues
• Community-based organizations or faith-based groups that offer benefits counseling

You can dial 211 in many areas to be connected with local resources, including legal and social services, or ask your county DSS if they know of free legal help in your area.

Verifying You Are Using Official Channels

Because SNAP/FNS is a government program, it is important to make sure you are dealing with official offices:

• Official agencies for North Carolina SNAP/FNS appeals:
  • County Department of Social Services (DSS) where your case is managed
  • The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (state-level)
• Ways to verify:
  • Phone numbers are listed on county or state government websites, in local government directories, or on your official DSS notices
  • Office locations are typically in county government buildings or clearly marked DSS offices
  • Staff use .gov or official county email addresses (when applicable)

Be cautious of:

• Anyone who guarantees approval or success for a fee
• Non-government websites that ask for fees to file SNAP appeals
• Requests for personal information (Social Security number, bank account, EBT PIN) that do not come from a clearly identified official office

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot see your case, file an appeal for you, or make decisions about your SNAP/FNS benefits. It can only provide general information to help you understand how to work with official North Carolina agencies.

If You Do Not Qualify or Need Immediate Food Help

If your SNAP/FNS is denied, reduced, or delayed and you need food right away, consider:

• Food pantries and food banks in your community
• Community meal programs run by nonprofits or faith-based groups
• Calling 211 for local food assistance referrals
• Asking your county DSS if there are any emergency food resources or other programs you may qualify for

These options do not replace SNAP/FNS, but they may help while you are appealing or reapplying.

By understanding your rights, deadlines, and steps to appeal, you can more confidently navigate SNAP/FNS fair hearings in North Carolina through your county DSS and other official state agencies.