Benefits in your state
Benefits in North Carolina
Where to apply and who to call in North Carolina. For services near you, see the North Carolina state page.
Medicaid
- Program
- NC Medicaid (NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Medicaid (Division of Health Benefits))
- Apply online
- epass.nc.gov
- By phone
- (888) 245-0179 (NC Medicaid Contact Center; it can connect you to your county DSS to apply by phone)
- In person
- Your county Department of Social Services (DSS). Walk-ins are accepted at all local offices. Find an office
- If you get SSISupplemental Security Income: monthly payments from Social Security for people with disabilities who have low income and few savings.
- North Carolina is a 1634 stateA state where getting SSI (Supplemental Security Income) gives you Medicaid too, with no separate Medicaid application., so the Social Security Administration decides Medicaid when it approves SSI and people who get SSI get NC Medicaid without a separate application.
- If you work
- Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities (HCWD): full Medicaid for working people with disabilities ages 16 through 64. An enrollment fee or monthly premium may apply at higher incomes. Apply through your county DSS.
Medicare Savings Programs and the Medicaid Buy-In also go through this office. How Medicaid works.
Food
- SNAP: find the North Carolina SNAP office in the USDA state directory, or call 211.
- Find your food bank and home-delivered meals.
- SNAP rules for people with disabilities
Bills and phone
- Energy help (LIHEAP): call 1-866-674-6327 to be sent to your local office.
- Lifeline phone or internet discount: lifelinesupport.org.
- More on bills, shutoffs and housing
Legal help
- Disability rights agency (free)
- Disability Rights North Carolina, (919) 856-2195
- Legal aid
- lawhelpnc.org or LawHelp.org and the LSC legal aid finder
Planning forms
Free North Carolina advance directive forms, with instructions: North Carolina forms at CaringInfo. What each form does.
People who help for free
- 211: call or text 2-1-1.
- Medicare counseling (SHIP): shiphelp.org.
- Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center: Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116.
- Work and benefits counseling (WIPA): choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp.
- Search North Carolina services in the Atlas
Medicaid details checked October 9, 2026. Disability rights agency from the NDRN member list; forms from CaringInfo. Last reviewed November 9, 2026.
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