Food and Nutrition / SNAP

Access to nutritious food is foundational for overall health and well-being. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers several programs to support individuals’ access to healthy food, including Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Due to the end of the federal public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, Federal PHE guidelines had allowed certain flexibilities and exceptions, which have ended.  

Specific groups of FNS recipients will also be uniquely affected by the end of the PHE such as Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (see below), College Students, Individuals with class h or I felony convictions. For more information, click the link below:

Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents:  ABAWD is a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-49, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. With the conclusion of the PHE, the ABAWD time limit on benefits goes back into effect, meaning ABAWDs can receive FNS benefits for only three months in a three-year period unless certain extra work requirements or exemptions are met.  

For example: If the Able-Bodie policy applies to you or a member in your household, and received full benefits during July 2023 – September 2023, they may no longer be eligible starting October 2023.   

Additional changes based on the Fiscal Responsibility Act are upcoming:  

1. Effective September 1, 2023, An ABAWD will be a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-50 years of age, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. 

2. Effective October 1, 2023, An ABAWD will be a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-52 years of age, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. 

3. Effective October 1, 2024, An ABAWD will be a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-54 years of age, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. 

Suspensions of claims collections:

Some North Carolina households have received FNS overpayments. While repayments were suspended during the PHE, these overpayments are now to be repaid by the beneficiaries through a repayment plan with their local DSS. FNS beneficiaries will be notified if there are new overpayments that must be repaid and will receive instructions about how to make payment arrangements.