Getting Started with SNAP Grocery Support

You must be a resident of North Carolina and make less than a certain amount of money to qualify for SNAP benefits. The amount is based on the number of people in your household — the people you share your food purchases with. Here are some of the factors that determine eligibility and amounts.

Income: Your household income has to fall within certain limits. Both “gross income” (what you earn before taxes) and “net income” (what’s left after housing, childcare, and some other expenses are deducted) are considered. If someone in your home is over 60 or has a disability, special deductions or exceptions may apply.

Assets (money and property): Most households can have up to $3,000 in savings or other countable assets. If your household includes an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability, the limit is higher—$4,500.

Residency & Citizenship*: You must live in North Carolina. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or meet certain immigration requirements.

Work Rules*: If you’re between 18–54, don’t have children, and are able to work, you may need to meet work or job training requirements (usually about 80 hours per month). Some people are exempt from these rules, depending on their caregiving situation.

*Note that several of these rules may change in 2026 due to the passage of the 2025 federal Budget Reconciliation Act. 

Each person’s card has a different amount of money attached to it based upon their personal income and family situation — up to $292 each month for a single-person household or $975 for a family of four. You will receive details when your application is approved. Each month you are enrolled in SNAP, this amount will be added to your card and can be used to purchase food. Any unused funds are available for up to one year from the date they’re added to your card.

The USDA’s 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) set the maximum SNAP benefit amounts for households in most of the country, iincluding North Carolina.

Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit by Household Size

1 person:   $292
2 people:   $536
3 people:   $768
4 people:   $975
5 people:   $1,158
6 people:   $1,390
7 people:   $1,536
8 people:   $1,756
Each additional person may add $220

SNAP can be used for: 

- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products like milk and eggs
- Breads and cereals
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food
 

SNAP can't be used for:

- Alcohol or tobacco
- Live animals
- Pre-prepared hot foods
- Pet foods
- Non-edible products
 

If you are in need of food assistance beyond what SNAP provides, our FoodFinder tool is a great place to start! Our network of no-cost markets, pantries, meal sites, and delivery programs can connect you with resources that SNAP doesn’t cover — such as spices or hygiene products. (Tip: Stop by your local food assistance site first to help focus your SNAP dollars on items you can only find at a grocery store.)

We know that navigating the application process for SNAP / FNS grocery support can feel overwhelming. Sifting through complex information online often causes additional stress that none of us need when we’re worried about where our next meal might come from. Our Benefits Outreach Team team is here to help with the information and support you need to get set up with SNAP and help keep healthy food on the table.

We'd love to hear from you! GIve us a call at (800) 358-8189 or email BenefitsOutreach@FoodBankCENC.org for a confidential consultation to determine your household's eligibility.

Unfortunately, the budget cuts signed into law under the "Big, Beautiful Bill" in Summer 2025 will significantly impact several federal programs — including SNAP grocery support and Medicaid health coverage.

As passed by Congress, the law likely means that North Carolina will lose over $400 million in federal SNAP funding. We do not yet know whether this drastic cut will result in reduced grocery support, fewer families eligible for benefits, or both. You can learn more on SNAP cuts and take action here.

No. Unlike some other government benefits, SNAP grocery support is not considered a "public charge". This means applying for or receiving SNAP is not factored into evaluations of whether an individual is likely to rely on future government support. 

You can also apply for SNAP benefits on behalf of eligible members of your household members — such as your U.S. citizen children — even if you are not eligible for benefits yourself. 

Here are a few additional facts to be aware of:

- Receiving SNAP benefits does not affect your ability to remain in the U.S., get or keep a green card, or become a U.S. citizen.

- State and federal laws generally prevent county social service agencies from sharing information about your SNAP application with immigration authorities, unless the participant gives written permission or a final order of deportation has been issued by the courts.

- Other types of benefits, like certain forms of cash assistance, may be considered in a "public charge" determination. Always check the specific rules for any other public benefit you may be considering.

Our coordinators are always happy to answer questions you may have about eligibility guidelines, included foods, locations that accept SNAP / FNS benefits, and more. Please don't hesitate to reach out by phone or email for a confidential one-on-one consultation — or use our online form to request a consultation.