North Carolina EBT Card Basics: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Expect

The North Carolina EBT card is a plastic benefits card that works like a debit card. It is typically used to access:

• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) – North Carolina’s name for SNAP/food stamps
• In some cases, cash assistance benefits (Work First or other cash aid), if your household is approved for those programs

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational overview only. It is not an official state website, cannot take applications, and cannot check your case. To apply or manage your benefits, you must use official North Carolina agencies and portals.

What Is an EBT Card in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the EBT card is often called the “EBT card” or “FNS card.” The card:

• Is issued by the state’s benefits system after you are approved for certain programs
• Holds your monthly food benefits and, if eligible, cash benefits
• Is protected by a 4-digit PIN that you choose
• Can be used at authorized grocery stores, some farmers markets, and some retailers that accept EBT

You do not get an EBT card unless you qualify for a benefit program (usually FNS/SNAP or cash assistance through the local county department of social services).

Who Typically Qualifies for an EBT Card in North Carolina?

You don’t apply “for an EBT card” by itself. Instead, you apply for programs, and if approved, your benefits are loaded onto an EBT card.

Most people who have an EBT card in North Carolina are approved for:

• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) – helps low-income households buy food
• Work First Family Assistance (cash aid) – for certain low-income families with children (where eligible)

General FNS (SNAP) Eligibility Clues

Eligibility is always decided by your local county department of social services (DSS) based on state and federal rules. Common factors include:

• Household income – total gross (before-tax) income for everyone who lives and eats together
• Household size – more people usually means a higher income limit
• Citizenship/immigration status – some household members may count differently
• Expenses – such as rent/mortgage, utilities, child care, and in some cases medical expenses

Typical clues you may qualify for FNS in North Carolina include:

• Your household income is limited and near or below the federal poverty level
• You pay rent or a mortgage and other living costs that are hard to cover
• You are a senior, person with a disability, or a family with children living on fixed or low wages

Because income limits and deductions can be complex, the surest way to know is to apply through your county DSS or the official NC benefits portal and let them do a full review.

What You Can Buy With a North Carolina EBT Card

If you receive FNS (food) benefits, you can usually use your EBT card to buy:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Bread, cereal, and grains
• Dairy products
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for your household

You cannot buy with FNS funds:

• Alcohol or tobacco
• Hot foods ready to eat (exceptions may exist for certain groups if a special program is in place)
• Non-food items like soap, paper products, pet food, or household supplies
• Vitamins or medicines

If your EBT card also holds cash benefits (such as Work First):

• Cash funds can often be withdrawn at ATMs or used for a wider range of purchases, subject to program rules and any restrictions your caseworker explains.

To avoid problems, keep track of which funds are food vs cash on your card. Your balance slip or customer service line usually explains this.

How to Apply for Benefits That Use an EBT Card

Again, you do not apply through HowToGetAssistance.org. In North Carolina, you typically apply in one of three ways:

1. Online – Through the state’s official benefits portal (commonly known as ePass or the official NC benefits website).
2. In person – At your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office.
3. By mail or drop-off – By printing the official application from the state site or picking one up at DSS, then returning it as directed.

Finding the Right Office or Portal

Because locations and names can change, it’s best to:

• Search for “[Your County] North Carolina DSS” or
• Call 2-1-1 and ask for the number for your local county social services office, or
• Look up the official North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website and follow links to food or cash assistance.

Be sure you are on an official .gov or state agency site before entering any personal information.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Having key documents ready can make the process smoother. North Carolina counties may ask for slightly different items, but common documents include:

Identity and status:

• Photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, school ID, passport)
• Social Security number for each applying household member, if available
• Birth certificates or other proof of identity
• Immigration documents, if some household members are non-citizens

Income:

• Recent pay stubs (often last 4 weeks)
• If self-employed: business records, tax returns, or profit-and-loss statements
• Award letters for Social Security, SSI, VA benefits, unemployment, or pensions
• Proof of child support received or paid

Expenses:

• Lease or mortgage statement
• Utility bills (electric, gas, water, trash, phone/internet if allowed)
• Child care or adult care receipts
• For seniors or people with disabilities: medical bills, prescription costs, health insurance premiums

If you do not have some documents, your county DSS may help you figure out acceptable alternatives.

What Happens After You Apply for FNS or Cash Assistance?

While exact steps may vary by county, people in North Carolina usually experience a process like this:

1. Application submission

   • You submit your application online, by mail, drop-off, or in person to your county DSS.

2. Interview

   • Most FNS and cash assistance applications require an interview, usually by phone or in person.
   • A worker asks about your household, income, expenses, and may request more proof.

3. Verification

   • DSS reviews your documents and may contact employers, landlords, or other agencies if needed.
   • They calculate your eligibility and benefit amount based on state rules.

4. Decision notice

   • You receive a written notice approving or denying your application, usually by mail and sometimes electronically through the official portal.
   • If approved, the notice usually shows how much you’ll get and how long your certification period lasts.

5. Issuance of EBT card

   • If you are a new applicant, an EBT card is mailed to the address on your application (or instructions are provided for how to pick it up, depending on county practices).
   • If you already have a card, your new benefits are usually added to your existing EBT card.

Getting and Activating Your North Carolina EBT Card

Once you’re approved and your card is issued:

How Your Card Arrives

• Most people receive the card by mail in a plain or state-labeled envelope.
• If you move or your address is incorrect, the card may be delayed, so it’s important to keep your address updated with your county DSS.

Activating the Card

Instructions typically come with the card, but general steps often look like:

1. Call the EBT customer service number printed on the card or in your packet.
2. Enter the required information (usually card number and sometimes your date of birth or last four digits of your Social Security number).
3. Choose a 4-digit PIN you can remember but that others won’t guess.
4. Confirm the PIN when asked.

If you have trouble activating, contact:

• The EBT customer service line shown on the card, or
• Your county DSS office for guidance

Using Your North Carolina EBT Card at the Store

Using your card is usually straightforward:

1. Shop for eligible items as you normally would.
2. At checkout, swipe or insert your EBT card in the payment terminal.
3. Select “EBT” and then “Food” or “Cash”, depending on which benefit you’re using.
4. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
5. The system deducts the eligible amount from your balance.
6. You receive a receipt showing your remaining balance.

If your purchase total is more than your EBT food balance:

• You can usually pay the rest with another form of payment (cash, debit, etc.).
• Tell the cashier how much to use from EBT if needed.

Some farmers markets in North Carolina also accept EBT. Staff at the market can usually explain how to swipe your card and get tokens or receipts to use with certain vendors.

Checking Your EBT Card Balance

You can usually check your balance in several ways:

• On your receipt – Most receipts show your remaining balance.
• By phone – Call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card, follow the prompts, and enter your card details.
• Online – Many EBT systems have an online account portal where you can register your card and check balances and transactions.
• Some store terminals – At certain stores, you may be able to check your EBT balance at the register or a customer service kiosk.

To find the correct online portal, start from an official North Carolina DHHS or benefits website to avoid scams.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged EBT Card

If your North Carolina EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged:

1. Call the EBT customer service number immediately.

   • Report the card as lost or stolen so it can be deactivated.
   • Ask about getting a replacement card.

2. Confirm your mailing address.

   • A new card is typically mailed to your address on file.
   • If your address changed, update it with your county DSS.

3. Wait for the new card and activate it.

   • Once it arrives, follow the activation instructions provided.

Benefits already spent using your card’s PIN may not be replaceable, so reporting a missing card promptly is important.

Keeping Your EBT Card and Benefits Safe

Because EBT benefits work like money, scammers sometimes try to steal them. Common safety tips include:

• Never share your PIN with anyone, including friends or relatives who aren’t directly authorized to use your card.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at stores.
• Be cautious about “skimmers” (fake card readers placed over real ones). If a card reader looks loose or strange, ask the store for another register.
• Do not enter your card number or PIN on unofficial websites, mobile apps, or through links from texts or emails.
• If you get a suspicious call or text asking for your card number or PIN, hang up and call the official EBT customer service line or your county DSS instead.

To verify you’re using an official channel:

• Check that you’re on a .gov or clearly marked state agency website.
• Use phone numbers listed on official mail you received from DSS or on the back of your EBT card.
• You can also call your county DSS main office and ask them to confirm official web addresses and hotlines.

How Long Benefits Last and When They Refill

In North Carolina, FNS benefits are issued on a monthly schedule. Important points:

• Each household is given a specific day of the month when benefits are loaded.
• If you don’t spend all your benefits in one month, the unused amount usually carries over to the next month, as long as your case stays active.
• If your case closes and stays closed, remaining benefits may eventually expire under program rules.

Your approval notice or county DSS can tell you:

• The day of the month your benefits should load
• Your “certification period” (the length of time your case is approved before review)

Renewals (Recertification) for North Carolina FNS and Cash Benefits

Benefits do not continue automatically forever. North Carolina requires recertification (renewal) at the end of your certification period.

Typical renewal process:

1. Notice sent

   • Before your certification ends, your county DSS sends a renewal packet or letter explaining what to do.

2. Renewal form

   • You usually must complete and return renewal forms by a specific deadline shown on the notice.
   • You may be able to renew online, by mail, or in person, depending on your county’s options.

3. Updated information

   • You must report current income, household members, and expenses.
   • DSS may ask for updated proof (recent pay stubs, new lease, etc.).

4. Interview (sometimes)

   • Some households must complete another interview, while others may be recertified based on the paperwork alone. Your notice will explain what applies to you.

If you miss the renewal deadline, your case may close and your EBT benefits may stop until you reapply.

Common Reasons for Delays or Denials

Applications or renewals can be delayed or denied in North Carolina for several reasons, such as:

• Missing documents – needed proof of income, identity, or expenses not turned in
• Incomplete application – skipped required questions or didn’t sign
• Missed interview – didn’t answer calls or attend the scheduled appointment
• Income too high – household income is above the allowed limit after deductions
• Undocumented status – certain immigration statuses may not qualify for some benefits (though some household members may still receive help)

If you receive a denial notice:

• Read it carefully to understand why you were denied.
• It will usually explain your right to request an appeal or fair hearing and give a deadline.

Appeals and Fair Hearings in North Carolina

If you think the decision about your EBT-related benefits is wrong, you generally have the right to:

• Ask for a fair hearing or appeal through your county DSS or state appeals unit.

Typical steps:

1. Check your denial or closure notice for:

   • How to file an appeal
   • The deadline (often a set number of days from the date on the notice)

2. You can usually request a hearing:

   • In writing (recommended)
   • Sometimes by phone or in person at DSS

3. At the hearing, you can:

   • Explain your situation
   • Bring documents and witnesses
   • Sometimes ask an advocate or legal aid organization to help you

For legal help, many people contact:

• Legal Aid of North Carolina or similar nonprofit legal services
• Community organizations that help with public benefits issues

If You Don’t Qualify for an EBT Card or Need Extra Help

If you are not eligible for EBT-based benefits, or your benefits are small, other resources in North Carolina may help:

• Food pantries and food banks – Local churches, nonprofits, and charities often provide free groceries.
• Soup kitchens and community meals – Provide hot meals on specific days.
• 211 – Calling 2-1-1 can connect you to local resources for food, housing, utilities, and more.
• School meals programs – Children may qualify for free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – Offers specific food benefits and support for pregnant/postpartum individuals, infants, and young children who qualify.
• Local faith-based or community organizations – Often help with emergency food, small bill payments, or referrals.

These programs do not replace state EBT programs, but they can help fill gaps.

Quick Reference: North Carolina EBT Card and Key Contacts

This overview is meant to help you understand how North Carolina EBT cards typically work, what to expect, and where to turn with questions. For applications, case decisions, and personal case updates, you will need to work directly with your local county DSS, the official North Carolina benefits portal, or official state hotlines.