Simplified Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)

North Carolina’s Simplified Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is a demonstration project designed to deliver food assistance to elderly individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SNAP is a simplified version of Regular Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible for SNAP:

Receive SSI, (individuals may have other income as well) and
Age 65 or older, and
Not living in an institution (being in an Alcohol/Drug Treatment Center (ADTC) is considered being institutionalized for SNAP purposes), and
Residing in North Carolina, and
Purchasing and preparing food separately from other people living in the home, and
Not be receiving Food and Nutrition Services, Food Stamps, or SNAP in another state.

All SNAP Cases are one person households. SNAP households must meet regular Food and Nutrition Services household concept eligibility requirements. NOTE: Married individuals living in the same home cannot be considered a separate household.

Income and deductions are not considered when determining SNAP allotment amounts. Only shelter costs are used to determine the allotment amount. Allotment amounts for SNAP are as follows:

The FNS allotment amount is $166 if the rent, mortgage, and/or lot rent expense is less than $150 per month.
The FNS allotment amount is $206 if the rent, mortgage and/or lot rent expense is $150 or higher per month.

SNAP Application Procedures

Individuals applying for Regular Food and Nutrition Services will be evaluated for and authorized for SNAP if criteria for SNAP is met and the SNAP allotment amount is equal to or greater than current allotment amount.

Potential SNAP recipients are identified monthly via the North Carolina State Data Exchange (SDX) match process and are automatically mailed a SNAP Application. Applications are processed within 30 days from the date the application is received in the local Department of social Services (DSS). Eligible households automatically received an EBT card with PIN instructions once the SNAP application is approved. SNAP cases are certified for 36 months.

SNAP Conversion Process

Current Food and Nutrition Services cases meeting the SNAP eligibility criteria will automatically convert to a SNAP case if the SNAP allotment amount is equal to or greater than current allotment amount.

We strive to keep this information as accurate as possible. If information on this page needs to be updated, please Email us.