Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps)

(336) 641-3000
EBT 1-888-622-7328

EPass:  https://epass.nc.gov/

Download FNS application to a PDF in English and Spanish

*Notice: A minimum emergency supplement of $95 is available for all active FNS households. Please see the links below for more information.

English     Spanish

The Food and Nutrition Services Program (FNS) is a federal program that aids households with limited income and resources. Limits are different, depending on the number and ages of persons in the home. The FNS benefit amount is based on the amount of income available to the household members who buy and cook their food together. Benefits cannot be used to purchase items such as detergents, paper products, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages. 

How do I renew my benefits?

Renewals are completed at least every six (6) or twelve (12) months. If you are a current customer, you will receive information in the mail when it is time to renew. Be sure to keep your address updated with our office so that information will be sent to you timely.  If you have misplaced or lost your review paperwork, please call the Call Center at 336-641-3000 to request a replacement.

When do I turn in my FNS Recertification?

At the beginning of the month it is due. Recertifications received after the 15^th of the month are considered untimely. Be sure to include required verifications as listed with your form. You may mail form to the DSS office PO Box 3388, Greensboro, NC 27402 or upload to dssdocuments.guilfordcountync.gov

What is the Employment and Training Program?

The Employment and Training program provides Food and Nutritional service (FNS) recipients opportunity to gain skills, training or experience that will improve employment prospects and reduce the reliance of food and nutritional benefits         

Who Do I contact for more information?

You may contact your caseworker to be referred.

Food Resources

Whether you’re seeking food assistance or would like to donate food, the best place to get started is through the resources here. View Food Resources

Family and Children's Medicaid

(336) 641-3000

Fax number: 336-641-6067

EPass:  https://epass.nc.gov/

Download F & C Medicaid application to a PDF in English and Spanish

Upload documents to: dssdocuments.guilfordcountync.gov 

Mail completed application to: PO Box 3388, Greensboro, NC 27402 of fax to 336-641-6067.

Medicaid is a medical assistance program that serves children, adults and families.

Medicaid will pay medical bills for people who meet certain eligibility requirements such as income, age or disability. Covered services include hospitalizations, physician services, medications and different levels of care in nursing and residential facilities.

For non-MAGI beneficiaries to submit verification required for recertification, please submit to info2dss@guilfordcountync.gov.

Upcoming Changes

Manage care to Launch July 1, 2021. Open enrollment to begin March 15th and end May 14th with auto enrollment beginning on May 15, 2021.

Adult Medicaid

(336) 641-3000

Get information about Medicaid Expansion beginning Dec. 1, 2023 from NCDHHS.

EPass: https://epass.nc.gov/

Medicaid is a medical assistance program that serves children, adults and families.

Medicaid will pay medical bills for people who meet certain eligibility requirements such as income, age or disability. Covered services include hospitalizations, physician services, medications and different levels of care in nursing and residential facilities.

For non-MAGI beneficiaries to submit verification required for recertification, please submit to info2dss@guilfordcountync.gov.

Child Day Care

(336) 641-3000

Using state and federal funds, North Carolina provides subsidized childcare services to eligible families based on need and income.  Subsidized Child Care Services are provided for the protection, care and developmental experiences of children ages birth through 17 and allows families to maintain employment, participate in job training, receive assistance for children with development needs, in crisis situations and in the custody of the county for a portion of the day but less than twenty-four hours.  The program enables families to access child care at an affordable cost by providing assistance with payments to child care providers.

Do I qualify?

• Are you the primary caregiver to a child 0-12 years of age, or 13-17 with an extenuating circumstance?
• Are you a Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) cash recipient participating in Work First Employment Services (WFES) with a current MRA?
• Are you a teen parent who needs childcare to complete your high school education or its equivalent?
• Are you an employed parent?
• Are you a student, or in training leading to employment?
• Do you have a child who needs care for their development needs?

An application for services is required.  Families must meet income limits established by the Division of Child Development and Early Education.  Your household may be subject to the waiting list.

Parents looking for quality child care can call Regional Child Care Resources & Referral and speak with a Parent Counselor who can give you referrals to licensed child care facilities along with other resource information. Call 336-369-5021 or 336-369-5097 or email info@guilfordchilddev.org.

Energy Assistance - Help for Heating and Cooling

(336) 641-3000

Extreme heat or cold during the winter and summer months can cause energy costs to increase and result in high energy bills that can impact a family's budget. There are some of the Guilford County programs that may be able to offer help for these expenses.

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

Heating:

• Generally available in October through April (depending on funding and temperatures).
• Helps with primary heating sources like electric, natural gas, LP gas, oil, kerosene and wood.
• This program helps with past due accounts, disconnected accounts or for establishing new services.
• To be eligible – must meet income requirements and be experiencing or in danger of experiencing a heating-related emergency (life-threatening or health related emergency).
• Residents can apply online through the state at https://epass.nc.gov/

Cooling:

• Generally available May through September (depending on funding and temperatures).
• This program helps with past due accounts, disconnected accounts or for establishing new services.
• Eligible applicants must meet income requirements and be experiencing or in danger of experiencing a cooling-related emergency (life-threatening or health related emergency).
• Residents can apply online through the state at https://epass.nc.gov/       

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

• Available December – March, or until funds are exhausted.
• Early application period begins in December for individuals aged 60 or older or a person with a disability and receiving services from NC Division of Adult and Aging Services.
• Regular application period January – March is open to anyone meeting the income guidelines.
• Helps with primary heating sources like electric, natural gas, LP gas, kerosene and wood
• Does not require a past due bill and can help create a credit balance.
• To be eligible – must meet income guidelines.
• Residents can apply online through the state at https://epass.nc.gov/

Work First Family Assistance

(336) 641-3000

Work First Family Assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance to families with minor children. Other family members and legal guardians caring for children are able to receive financial services and some supportive services. Work First Family Assistance provides parents with short-term training and other services to help them become employed and move toward self-sufficiency through the Employment Services programs.

Work First Employment Services works closely with families receiving TANF to reduce any barriers they may have to going to work and keeping a job. All strengths and barriers of a family are assessed and both the Employment Services social worker and client sign a Mutual Responsibility Agreement. This agreement outlines the plan for the family to move toward self-sufficiency as well as the services the Department of Social Services will provide to support the family's effort. Services that a family can access or be referred to include, but are not limited:

• Job Readiness Instruction
• Transportation Assistance
• Child Daycare Services
• Counseling
• Short-Term Vocational Education
• Budgeting
• Intensive Job Search
• Job Development
• Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse Treatment programs
• Mental Health Treatment

Program Integrity (Fraud Investigation)

Program Integrity investigates internal and external fraud. The unit is responsible for investigating eligibility errors, recouping over-payments and notifying the programs of the source of errors made from client or employee error and/or employee fraud. The majority of the money recouped is returned to the applicable State or Federal program for redistribution.

A Fraud Hotline to report fraud concerns is manned by Program Integrity staff: (336) 641-4741