NC HHS 2026: Benefits, Offices & Eligibility
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, often searched as NC DHHS, NCDHHS, NC HHS, NC Department of Health and Human Services, or North Carolina DHHS, connects residents to Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First cash assistance, energy assistance, child care subsidy, WIC, aging services, disability services, behavioral health crisis support, vital records and county DSS offices.
This guide is written in plain U.S. English for North Carolina seniors, parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, low-income households, case workers and residents who need the correct official route before applying, calling, renewing, reporting a change, uploading documents or visiting an office.
Quick answer: what NC DHHS helps with in 2026
NC DHHS manages or supervises many health and human service programs in North Carolina, but not every task is handled at the Raleigh headquarters. Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First, child care subsidy, LIEAP, Crisis Intervention, adult services, child protective services and many local benefit questions usually involve your county Department of Social Services.
| What you need | Best official route | Who usually handles it | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC DHHS phone number | NC DHHS Contact page | NC DHHS Customer Service Center | Topic, county, case number if you have one and callback number |
| Apply for benefits online | ePASS | State system plus county DSS | Email, identity, address, household, income, documents and benefit type |
| NC Medicaid eligibility or renewal | NC Medicaid / ePASS / county DSS | NC Medicaid and local DSS | Household size, income, age, disability, pregnancy, address, renewal letter |
| Food and Nutrition Services / food stamps | FNS page and ePASS | County DSS economic services | Income proof, household members, expenses, ID and other benefit paperwork |
| Work First / TANF cash assistance | Work First page, ePASS or local DSS | County DSS | Children in household, identity, address, age, kinship, income and work plan information |
| Energy assistance / heating bill help | LIEAP or Crisis Intervention route | County DSS | Utility bill, shutoff notice if any, income, age/disability status and address |
| Child care subsidy | NC Child Care financial assistance route | County where the child lives | Parent/legal guardian status, work/school/job training, income and child details |
| Senior, adult or disability support | Division of Aging, Adult Services or local DSS/AAA | Local aging agency or county DSS | Age, disability, caregiver need, facility issue, safety concern or service request |
Many NC DHHS benefits are state-supervised and county-administered. That means Raleigh may provide rules and systems, but your county DSS may process the application, request documents, schedule interviews, handle renewals or answer case-specific questions.
NC DHHS benefits route finder: choose the correct office before applying
Use this simple tool before you call, apply, mail forms or visit an office. It does not decide eligibility. It points you to the right official North Carolina route.
NC DHHS application and office router
Select your need and situation. The answer appears below.
NC DHHS phone number, address and call script
The NC DHHS Customer Service Center is 1-800-662-7030. The department’s physical address is 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607, and the general mailing address is 2001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2000.
Use a short call script
Say: “I need help finding the correct official route for [Medicaid, ePASS, food stamps, Work First, LIEAP, child care subsidy, WIC, aging services, county DSS, vital records or crisis services]. My county is [county name]. Should I contact NC DHHS, NC Medicaid, ePASS or my local DSS office?”
Call the program directly when you already know the service
If your question is Medicaid case-specific, use your NC Medicaid plan, NC Medicaid help route or local DSS. If it is Food and Nutrition Services, Work First, LIEAP or child care subsidy, your local county DSS or county child care subsidy contact may be the faster route.
Before calling, write down your county, benefit name, application date, case number, renewal deadline, notice date and best callback number. A simple checklist helps seniors and caregivers avoid repeated calls.
NC DHHS ePASS login, application and renewal help
ePASS is North Carolina’s secure self-service website for applying for benefits, creating an account, viewing some case details and managing certain updates. It is often the best starting point for Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First and energy assistance applications.
New application
Use ePASS when you are ready to apply online for North Carolina benefits. Gather identity, household, income and address information first.
Enhanced account
An enhanced ePASS account can help existing beneficiaries view case details, renew Medicaid and update information online when available.
DSS may still contact you
Online application does not mean instant approval. Your county DSS may request proof, schedule contact or send a notice.
| Prepare | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and address | Photo ID, NC address, lease, utility bill, mailing address | Programs must know who you are and where you live. |
| Household | People living with you, children, spouse, tax household when asked | Household rules affect Medicaid, FNS, child care and other programs. |
| Income | Pay stubs, Social Security, pension, unemployment, self-employment, child support | Income is a major eligibility factor for most benefits. |
| Expenses | Rent, mortgage, utilities, child care, medical expenses for seniors or disabled members | Some programs count allowable expenses in the eligibility decision. |
| Benefit letters | Medicaid, SSI, Work First, FNS, disability, utility shutoff, renewal notices | Notices often include deadlines and case-specific instructions. |
NC DHHS benefits and eligibility: what each program is for
NC DHHS benefits are not one single program. Eligibility depends on the benefit, county, household size, income, age, disability, pregnancy, child status, work or school activity, immigration status where relevant, and funding availability.
NC Medicaid
Health coverage for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities.
Medicaid routeFNS / SNAP
Food and Nutrition Services helps eligible households supplement food budgets.
Food routeWork First
North Carolina’s TANF program helps eligible families with short-term support and work-related goals.
Work First routeLIEAP / CIP
Seasonal and crisis energy assistance may help with heating, cooling or urgent utility needs.
Energy routeChild care subsidy
Helps eligible families pay for child care when parents meet activity and financial rules.
Child care routeWIC
Nutrition support for eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5.
WIC routeAging services
Local aging programs support older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities.
Aging routeCrisis services
988, mobile crisis, community crisis centers and peer warmline routes help people in behavioral health crisis.
Crisis routeNC Medicaid eligibility, Medicaid expansion, renewals and transportation
NC Medicaid is the health coverage route for many North Carolina residents with limited income or qualifying circumstances. North Carolina expanded Medicaid on December 1, 2023, covering more adults ages 19 through 64 up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Final eligibility is still determined through the official application process.
Apply online, in person, by phone or by mail when allowed
Online applications through ePASS may be faster for many people, but paper, phone and local DSS routes may be available depending on your situation. If you need help completing an application, NC Navigators can help, and Medicaid Ambassadors can guide you through ePASS questions.
Do not ignore recertification or renewal notices
NC Medicaid renewal forms may be returned online with an enhanced ePASS account, by mail, by phone through local DSS, or by visiting a local DSS office. Missing a deadline can interrupt coverage.
Ask about Medicaid transportation if rides are the barrier
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation may help eligible Medicaid members get to and from Medicaid medical and mental health appointments. Contact rules depend on your health plan or NC Medicaid Direct route.
Keep your address, phone number and email current in ePASS and with your county DSS. Many coverage problems start when renewal notices go to an old address.
Food and Nutrition Services / NC food stamps eligibility and application route
Food and Nutrition Services, also known as FNS or food stamps, is North Carolina’s SNAP program. It helps eligible people with limited incomes supplement their budgets so they can purchase food.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Needed to verify applicant information. | Submitting unreadable ID photos. |
| Proof of income | FNS eligibility reviews income for household members. | Forgetting part-time, seasonal or self-employment income. |
| Household details | Who buys and prepares food together can matter. | Listing only relatives and not everyone in the food household. |
| Other benefit paperwork | Medicaid, SSI or Work First documents may support the review. | Throwing away notices with case numbers and dates. |
| Expenses | Housing, utilities, child care or medical expenses may be relevant. | Not reporting expenses the application asks for. |
If you apply through ePASS, keep the confirmation and watch for county DSS follow-up. FNS cases are typically handled through county economic services staff.
Work First / TANF cash assistance in North Carolina
Work First is North Carolina’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. It is designed to help eligible families with children through short-term support, employment-related services and self-sufficiency planning.
Online or local DSS
You may apply online through ePASS or in person at your local Department of Social Services. County DSS may request proof and follow-up.
Children and family rules
Work First has child, household, identity, address, kinship, income and work-related rules. Children generally must meet age requirements listed by the program.
Do not assume Work First is the same as FNS, Medicaid or child care subsidy. A family may qualify for one program and not another. Apply through the correct route and respond to county DSS notices quickly.
NC energy assistance: LIEAP, Crisis Intervention and utility help
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program, called LIEAP, may help eligible households with heating costs during the season. Crisis Intervention Program help may apply when a household is experiencing a heating or cooling-related crisis. Application windows and funding can change, so always confirm current dates with the official page or local DSS.
| Need | Prepare | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal heating help | Utility bill, household income, age/disability status, address | Check LIEAP dates and apply through ePASS or local DSS. |
| Shutoff or urgent crisis | Disconnect notice, account number, crisis details and income proof | Contact local DSS immediately and ask about crisis energy assistance. |
| Senior or disability priority window | Age 60+ or disability services information if applicable | Check the current priority application period before waiting. |
| Wrong county application | Current residence county and address | Apply in the county where the household resides. |
Apply early in the correct window because some assistance is available only until funds are exhausted. Keep a copy of your utility bill and any shutoff notice.
NC child care subsidy: help paying for child care
North Carolina’s child care subsidy program helps eligible families afford child care. Families generally must meet both situational and financial criteria, and first-time applicants must apply in the county where they live.
Working or looking for work
Families may be eligible when parents are working or attempting to find work and meet program rules.
Education or training
School or job training can be a qualifying situation when other eligibility rules are met.
Protective services or developmental needs
Child protective services, child welfare crisis and developmental needs may also be considered.
You must usually be the parent or legal guardian of the child receiving subsidy benefits. Apply through the county where you live and keep all appointment, waitlist and document notices.
NC WIC eligibility: pregnant women, infants and children up to age 5
WIC is a nutrition program for eligible low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC can provide healthy foods, breastfeeding support and nutrition education.
Pregnancy and young children
WIC is for eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5.
Food and breastfeeding help
WIC can support nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthy food benefits.
County or local office
Appointments, eligibility screening and benefit issuance are handled through local WIC routes.
NC DHHS senior, adult services, disability and long-term care help
NC DHHS Division of Aging works to promote independence and dignity for North Carolina’s older adults, people with disabilities and families through community-based services, benefits, protections and local partnerships.
Local aging support
Older adults and caregivers may find transportation, nutrition, caregiver, legal, ombudsman or community support through local aging partners.
Abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult Protective Services concerns usually start with the local county DSS where the adult lives.
Long-term care ombudsman
Ombudsmen assist residents of long-term care facilities with rights, grievances and facility concerns.
If you are calling for someone else, ask what permission or documentation is needed before staff can discuss private case information with you.
NC mental health, substance use and crisis services
If you or someone you care about needs immediate emotional support, mental health crisis help, substance use crisis support or someone to talk to right now, use the crisis routes below instead of waiting for a general benefits office.
Call, text or chat 988
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, private support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Open 988 info1-855-PEERS-NC
The NC Peer Warmline is 1-855-733-7762 and is available 24/7 in English for people who want peer support.
Open warmlineMobile crisis and centers
Mobile crisis teams and community crisis centers may be available depending on location and need.
Find mobile crisisFor life-threatening emergencies, call 911. If possible, ask for a Crisis Intervention Team officer when the situation is mental-health related.
Find your local NC DSS office: 100 county social services agencies
North Carolina has 100 county social services agencies. Many benefit applications, renewals, interviews, document requests, adult protective services, child protective services and local economic services are handled through the county DSS office.
Economic services
FNS, Work First, Medicaid, energy assistance and related applications may route to county economic services.
APS and CPS
Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services concerns should go to the correct county DSS intake route.
Phone and address
Use the directory rather than guessing because each county has its own office, numbers and mailing address.
Multiple service centers
Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Durham, Forsyth and other counties may have more than one service location or phone line.
If you moved counties, ask which office currently owns your case and how to transfer or update your address. Wrong-county paperwork can slow down benefits.
NC DHHS vital records: birth, death, marriage, divorce and certificate questions
NC Vital Records is part of the public health system and is separate from ePASS, Medicaid and county DSS benefit applications. Use this route for North Carolina birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, divorce records and related record questions.
Do not confuse a benefits case record with a vital record. A birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate or divorce record is not requested through a Medicaid or FNS application.
NC DHHS Raleigh office map, headquarters address and before-you-visit warning
NC DHHS lists its physical address as 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607. Do not travel there for a Medicaid renewal, FNS interview, Work First appointment, LIEAP application, child care subsidy case or county DSS matter unless an official notice instructs you to visit that location.
| Need | Better than driving first |
|---|---|
| Apply for Medicaid, FNS, Work First or energy assistance | Use ePASS or your local county DSS office. |
| Medicaid renewal notice | Follow the notice, use enhanced ePASS or contact local DSS. |
| Child care subsidy | Use NC Child Care financial assistance and county application instructions. |
| Vital records | Use NC Vital Records contact and ordering instructions. |
| Behavioral health crisis | Call or text 988, use mobile crisis or call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. |
Official NC DHHS links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final eligibility, application, renewal, contact and document rules. This independent guide does not process applications, collect documents, decide eligibility or represent NC DHHS.
People also search for: NC Department of Health and Human Services Google and Bing intent guide
These are common search-style phrases around NC DHHS. Use the matching official route instead of opening random third-party pages.
NC Department of Health and Human Services benefits
Use ePASS, NC Medicaid, FNS, Work First, LIEAP, WIC, child care subsidy and local DSS pages.
Benefits routeNC DHHS ePASS login
Use epass.nc.gov for online applications, enhanced account tools, updates and renewals.
ePASS routeNC DHHS Medicaid
Use NC Medicaid and your local DSS for applications, expansion, recertification and plan questions.
Medicaid routeNC DHHS food stamps
Use Food and Nutrition Services and ePASS for FNS applications and county DSS follow-up.
FNS routeNC DHHS Work First
Use Work First Family Assistance, ePASS or the local DSS where the family lives.
Work First routeNC DHHS phone number
Customer Service Center is 1-800-662-7030, but county DSS and program phones may be faster.
Phone routeNC DHHS local DSS directory
Use the official county DSS directory to find phone, website, address and mailing information.
DSS routeNC DHHS crisis services
Use 988, peer warmline, mobile crisis or community crisis centers. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
Crisis routePrivacy, emergency and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not NCDHHS.gov, ePASS, NC Medicaid, NC Child Care, NC Vital Records, a county DSS office or a government agency.
Do not send Social Security numbers, Medicaid cards, birth certificates, utility bills, pay stubs, medical records, identity documents, child custody documents, disability paperwork, immigration documents, bank details or benefit notices to an independent guide page. Use only official secure systems and official agency instructions.
Phone numbers, application windows, income rules, documents, funding availability, county procedures, renewal dates, office hours and benefit amounts can change. Confirm final details on official NC DHHS, ePASS, NC Medicaid, county DSS, NC Child Care, NC Vital Records or crisis service pages before acting.
NC DHHS 2026 FAQs
What is the NC Department of Health and Human Services phone number?
The NC DHHS Customer Service Center is 1-800-662-7030. Use RelayNC for TTY services. For case-specific benefit questions, your county DSS office, NC Medicaid route or program-specific phone number may be faster than the general line.
What is the NC DHHS address?
NC DHHS lists its physical address as 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607. The general mailing address is 2001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Do not visit or mail documents without checking the official program instructions first.
How do I apply for benefits through NC DHHS?
Many North Carolina benefits can start through ePASS at epass.nc.gov. You may also need to work with your local county DSS office. Prepare identity, household, income, address, expenses, notices and benefit-specific documents before starting.
How do I apply for NC Medicaid?
Use the official NC Medicaid application route and ePASS. You may also apply through local DSS routes when allowed. Gather household, income, age, pregnancy, disability, address and current insurance information before applying.
What is NC Medicaid expansion?
North Carolina expanded Medicaid on December 1, 2023, covering more adults ages 19 through 64 up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Final eligibility depends on the official application process and current rules.
How do I apply for food stamps in North Carolina?
North Carolina food stamps are called Food and Nutrition Services or FNS. Use the official FNS page, ePASS or your local DSS office. Prepare ID, income proof, household information, expenses and other benefit paperwork.
How do I find my local DSS office in North Carolina?
Use the official Local DSS Directory on the NC DHHS website. North Carolina has 100 county social services agencies, and the directory lists county phone numbers, websites, physical addresses and mailing addresses.
Who qualifies for NC child care subsidy?
Child care subsidy eligibility depends on situational and financial criteria. Families may qualify when a parent is working, looking for work, in school or job training, when child protective services or child welfare services are involved, or when a child has developmental needs. Applicants usually apply in the county where they live.
What should I do for a mental health crisis in North Carolina?
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. You can also use the NC Peer Warmline at 1-855-733-7762. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team officer when appropriate.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org an official NC DHHS website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find official routes. It does not process benefits, approve eligibility, collect documents, manage ePASS, run NC Medicaid, operate county DSS offices or represent NC DHHS.