The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in North Carolina. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for North Carolina food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in North Carolina.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in North Carolina.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in North Carolina
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in North Carolina
- 2023 Income Limit for North Carolina Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in North Carolina
- Food Stamps in North Carolina FAQs
Food Stamps in North Carolina
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, the SNAP program is run by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in North Carolina?
To be eligible for SNAP in North Carolina, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a North Carolina resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for North Carolina Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in North Carolina, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| North Carolina Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit
(200% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,473 | $2,266 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,984 | $3,052 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,495 | $3,840 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,007 | $4,626 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,518 | $5,412 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $4,029 | $6,200 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,541 | $6,986 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $5,052 | $7,772 |
| 9 | $4,280 | $5,564 | $8,560 |
| 10 | $4,674 | $6,076 | $9,348 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 | $512 | $788 |
We’ve also included the North Carolina Food Stamp Income Limits for fiscal year 2024 below.
The 2024 North Carolina SNAP Income Limits go into effect on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
| North Carolina Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit (200% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $3,288 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $4,144 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $5,858 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $6,714 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $8,428 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | $429 | $557 | $858 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in North Carolina
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in North Carolina.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the NC ePASS website.
Log on to https://epass.nc.gov/ and select “Apply.”
If you do not have an account, click on the “Sign up” link for instructions on how to set up an account.
Also, if you are having trouble logging into your ePASS account, see our guide on
ePASS Login Help.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling
1-866-719-0141.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the Department of Social Services Office (DSS) has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in North Carolina FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about North Carolina Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for North Carolina Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in North Carolina or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at
1-866-719-0141.
How Much Will I Receive in North Carolina Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in North Carolina, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In North Carolina, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $260.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in North Carolina SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How North Carolina Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: James and his family of Six (6) have $2,200 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,200) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2200 Net Income for James’ family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 660 Countable Income
$ 1,339 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$660 Countable income (round up)
$ 679 Monthly SNAP benefits for James’ family
When are North Carolina EBT benefits deposited?
North Carolina food stamps benefits are deposited on your NC EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day between the 3rd and the 21st of each month.
Your North Carolina EBT Deposit Date varies based on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN).
Food Stamp benefits are available in your NC EBT Card account at 6am EST on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the North Carolina SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| If your SSN ends in: | Your benefits will be available after 6AM on the: |
| 1 | 3rd of every month |
| 2 | 5th of every month |
| 3 | 7th of every month |
| 4 | 9th of every month |
| 5 | 11th of every month |
| 6 | 13th of every month |
| 7 | 15th of every month |
| 8 | 17th of every month |
| 9 | 19th of every month |
| 0 | 21st of every month |
If you do not have a Social Security Number, your SNAP benefits will be deposited on the third day of every month.
For additional help, check out our North Carolina EBT FAQs.
How do I log into my North Carolina EBT Card Account Online?
North Carolina EBT cardholders can obtain information about their food stamps by logging into www.ebtedge.com.
- Login using your active EBT card number and PIN.
- Create an account ID and password.
Once you sign in with a valid card number and PIN, you can perform the following functions online with your account:
- Check your SNAP or cash account balance information.
- Review up to 15 months of transaction history.
- Request a printed 2-month statement of your account history.
- Change your PIN.
- Report damaged, lost, or stolen cards, and request a replacement card be mailed to you.
How Many People are on Food Stamps in North Carolina?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in North Carolina | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 1,651,835 | 1,530,082 | -7.4% |
| Number of Households | 832,144 | 771,774 | -7.3% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $382,919,906.00 | $385,214,414.00 | 15.0% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept North Carolina EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 18 stores that accept North Carolina EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your NC EBT Card and P-EBT benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your North Carolina SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept North Carolina SNAP EBT online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Charlie C’s
- Compare Foods
- Compare Foods Clayton
- Deep Roots Market
- Earth Fare
- Fairvalue Grocery Stores
- Food Lion
- Piggly Wiggly of Kinston, NC (Hwy 258 N)
- Publix
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
Income Limit for North Carolina Food Stamps Summary
We hope this article on Income Limit for North Carolina Food Stamps was helpful.
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If you have additional questions about the North Carolina SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about North Carolina Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check North Carolina EBT Card Balance
- North Carolina EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- How to Apply for Disaster Food Stamps in North Carolina
- North Carolina Food Stamps Office
- How to apply for North Carolina Food Stamps Online
- North Carolina ePass Login Help
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT