Do you want to apply for food stamps in North Carolina, but need help finding out if your income is eligible? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the NC Food Stamp Income Limit for 2022.
The North Carolina food stamps income limit guidelines will determine if you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamp benefits.
It’s no secret that there are very strict North Carolina food stamp requirements. Before you can apply for the food assistance in North Carolina, you have to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. This will ensure that your North Carolina SNAP application is filed correctly and increase your chances of being approved.
In this article, we will provide you with the NC Food Stamp Income Limit for fiscal year 2022.
In addition, we will also cover:
- NC Food Stamps Income Limits for 2022
- Food Stamps Allowable Deductions
- North Carolina SNAP Standard Deduction
- Gross and Net Income Calculator for NC SNAP EBT
- How much you’ll get in North Carolina Food Stamps
- How to Apply for North Carolina Food Stamp Benefits
To learn more about the NC food stamp income limit and eligibility requirements, continue reading below.
North Carolina Food Stamps Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, is a federally funded program by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The program helps low and limited-income households purchase the food they need for good health and nutrition.
Each state is responsible for distributing and managing their own food assistance program.
In North Carolina, the Food Stamps Program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
Each month, NC food stamp benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card.
The North Carolina EBT Card can be used just like a regular debit card to make purchases for eligible food items at approved SNAP store locations.
Households approved for the North Carolina food stamps can receive over $1,500 in benefits each month (depending on your income and household size).
To find out if you qualify for the North Carolina Food Stamp Program, continue reading below.
NC Food Stamp Income Limit for 2022
The NC food stamp income limit is the biggest factor in deciding whether your North Carolina SNAP application will be approved or not.
In order to use the SNAP income limit chart, you must first calculate your total monthly gross income for your household.
Your total gross income is compared to a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL) to determine if you qualify for North Carolina food stamps.
Once you know your household’s total gross income, expenses like childcare, medical expenses and housing costs are subtracted to calculate your total net income.
Your household’s total net income is used to determine how much you will receive in NC food stamp benefits each month.
Now that you know it works, you can use the North Carolina Food Stamp Income Limit Chart to determine if your household qualifies for food assistance benefits.
In addition, we will walk you through the steps to successfully calculate your gross and net monthly income including standard and allowable deductions for your household.
North Carolina Food Stamp Income Guidelines
The North Carolina SNAP Income Chart provided below shows both the gross monthly income and net monthly income based on your household size.
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North Carolina SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 |
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Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
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Household Size |
Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPL) |
Net Monthly Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,396 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $4,838 | $3,722 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$492 | +$379 |
North Carolina SNAP Net Income Limit for 2022
With a few exceptions, all households applying for food stamps in North Carolina also have to meet the net monthly income limit.
To calculate your net monthly income, you have to subtract any eligible allowable deductions from your monthly gross income.
For help, use the list of allowable deductions provided below.
SNAP EBT Allowable Deductions
The expenses that can be deducted from your gross income include:
- 20% deduction from Earned Income
- Standard deduction of $177 for households with 1 to 3 people and $184 for households with 4 or more people (see chart below)
- Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
- Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
- Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $159.73.
- A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $597 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).
North Carolina SNAP Standard Deduction Amount
When determining your eligibility for North Carolina food stamp benefits, you will subtract a standard deduction from your total household income. The standard deduction amount is based on two factors – your household size and location.
To find out how much your standard deduction will be, use the SNAP Standard Deduction Chart for fiscal year 2022 provided below:
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North Carolina SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2022 |
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Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
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Household Size |
Standard Deduction |
| 1-2 | $177 |
| 3 | $177 |
| 4 | $184 |
| 5 | $215 |
| 6+ | +$246 |
How to Calculate Gross Income
If you are struggling to figure out your household’s gross income, the chart below will provide you an example on how to get from a gross income calculation.
Once you have your monthly gross income, you can use this number to calculate your monthly net income. Your monthly net income will determine your eligibility for food stamp benefits in North Carolina.
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How to Calculate Gross Income for North Carolina Food Stamps |
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| Gross Income Calculation: | Example: |
| Determine household size . . . | 4 people with no elderly or disabled members. |
| Add gross monthly income . . . | $1,500 earned income + $550 social security = $2,050 gross income. |
| If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income. | $2,050 is less than the $2,871 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income. |
How to Calculate Net Income
Now that you have your household’s monthly gross income, you can use that number to calculate your net income. Use the chart below to calculate your monthly net income and determine if your household is eligible for North Carolina SNAP EBT benefits.
Please note that there may be exceptions to the net income calculation. These exceptions apply to household members that are elderly or disabled. For more information or immediate help call your local North Carolina office.
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How to Calculate Net Income for North Carolina Food Stamps |
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| Net Income Calculation: | Example for a 4-person household: |
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income
$1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $184 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,566 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction… | $1,569 – $362 dependent care = $1,204 |
| Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $0 |
| Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
| Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,204 adjusted income/2 = $602 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $602 (half of income) = $98 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,204 – $98 = $1,106 net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test… | Since $1,106 is less than $2,209 allowed for a 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
Excess Shelter Deduction for SNAP EBT
The excess shelter deduction when calculating your household’s monthly net income applies to shelter costs that are more than half of the household’s income after other deductions.
Allowable shelter costs include:
- Fuel for heating and cooking
- Electricity
- Water
- Cost for one telephone
- Rent or mortgage payments (and interest)
- Homeowners taxes
- Some states allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.
Maximum Shelter Deduction for North Carolina SNAP Benefits
The amount of the shelter deduction is capped at $597 unless one person in the household is elderly or disabled.
For a household with an elderly or disabled member all shelter costs over half of the household’s income may be deducted.
For more help determining if you are eligible to receive North Carolina food stamps, check out our complete North Carolina SNAP Eligibility Guide.
How much Food Stamps will I get in North Carolina?
You must meet all eligibility requirements including the NC Food Stamps Income Limit, in order to be approved for benefits.
The amount of money you will get each month depends on your household size.
See the chart below for the maximum amount you may get based on the number of people in your household.
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Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for North Carolina |
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Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
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Household Size |
Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$188 |
To find exactly how much you can expect to receive in North Carolina SNAP benefits on the Benefit Security Card each month, read our complete Food Stamps NC Calculator for 2022.
Now that you know the income requirements for North Carolina food stamps, if you want to apply for SNAP benefits, continue reading below.
We will provide you with detailed on how to apply for North Carolina food stamps.
How to Apply for North Carolina Food Stamps
There are four ways you can apply for food stamps in North Carolina – online, in-person, by mail or via phone. Before we go through each of the four ways to apply for NC food stamps, let’s review what you will need to apply. It’s important that you gather all the necessary documents prior to applying for North Carolina food stamp benefits.
Here is a list of information and documentation you will need to complete your North Carolina SNAP Application:
- Driver’s License
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB) or Birth Certificate
- Income information such as pay stubs from a job, child support or any other sources.
- Resource or asset information such bank accounts (checking, savings accounts), vehicles, homes, land or life insurance.
- Housing expenses, such as rent or utilities.
- Health Insurance information
- Verification of participation in other social services programs such as Medicaid or Work First Family Assistance.
Once you have gathered this information, you can now begin the North Carolina Food Stamps application process.
North Carolina SNAP Application Instructions
Here are the four ways you can apply for North Carolina food stamps:
Option 1: Online via ONE DHS
The first option is to apply online using the North Carolina online portal, ePASS. You can access the North Carolina website by visiting epass.nc.gov.
If this is your first time using the North Carolina ePASS online portal, you will first have to create an NCID online account.
Creating an ePASS account is quick, easy, and should only take a few minutes.
Once you have created your account, you can apply for food stamp benefits online by submitting your NC Food Stamps Application.
Option 2: In-Person at NC DSS Office
The next way to apply for food stamps in North Carolina is in-person at your local county Department of Social Services (DSS) office.
Click here for a full list of North Carolina DSS Office locations.
Option 3: By Phone
If you do not have access to a computer or transportation, you can also submit your NC SNAP Application by phone.
To apply for North Carolina food stamps by phone, please call 866-719-0141. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, please call Relay Services by dialing 7-1-1 in your phone.
You will be walked through the steps on how to apply for benefits by phone.
Option 4: By Mail
The last option for completing your North Carolina SNAP Application is by mail. In order to complete your application by mail, you must download the North Carolina SNAP Application online.
To apply for North Carolina food stamps by mail, click here to download the North Carolina Food Stamps Application.
Once completed, you can upload your North Carolina SNAP Application online or mail the completed application to the Family Assistance Department of Human Services.
Click here to upload your North Carolina SNAP Application online.
To submit your North Carolina Food Stamps Application by mail, send it to your local NC DSS office.
Be sure to include copies of any requested verification documentation with your North Carolina Food Stamps Application.
Need More Help with your NC Food Stamps Application?
For more help with your North Carolina food stamps eligibility or application, contact your local North Carolina county assistance office.
You can also call the North Carolina SNAP Family Service Center at 866-719-0141.
Customer Service representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
If you are hearing impaired or deaf, please contact Relay Services by calling 711.
Emergency Food Stamps North Carolina
If you are facing a life-threatening situation and need immediate food stamp, please apply for emergency food stamps.
To apply for emergency SNAP in North Carolina, visit a NC DHHS benefits office near you.
They will provide you with immediate help accessing food.
NC Food Stamps Income Limit Questions
We hope our post on the NC Food Stamps Income Limits for 2022 was helpful to you! If you need additional help determining your eligibility for food stamps or submitting your application for North Carolina SNAP, please let us know in the comments section below.
If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to please share it with someone using the “Share this” button below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on North Carolina SNAP EBT:
North Carolina Food Stamp Calculator
North Carolina Food Stamp Eligibility Guide
Extra Food Stamps in North Carolina
