How to apply for FNS
There are three ways to apply:
- Apply online at ePass.
- Apply in person at the Stanly County Department of Social Services:
Stanly County Commons, 1000 North First Street, Suite 2, Albemarle, during normal hours of operation. Normal hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am until 5:00pm. - Fill out a paper application and mail to or drop it off at Stanly County Department of Social Services.
FNS is designed to promote better nutrition for low-income families by increasing their food purchasing power. Applicants must be US Citizens or Naturalized Citizens or qualify under certain restricted alien guidelines. Unless exempt for disability or specified family needs, applicants must register with the Employment Security Commission and find work.
The following list is suggested items that may speed up your application process:
| Items required | Suggestions of what to provide |
| Interview | Office visit or phone call (must provide a working phone number |
| Identification | example: drivers license, birth certificate, doctor or hospital bill, bank statement, mail delivered by USPS, check stub, social security card, prison or work ID, etc. |
| Residency (where you live) | example: drivers license, birth certificate, doctor or hospital bill, bank statement, mail delivered by USPS, check stub, etc. |
| Social Security numbers | proof of application for newborn |
| Wages | pay stubs or wage letter for anyone working (include all wages received in the previous month (2 months if paid monthly) |
| Pension/retirement, work comp, VA, alimony, child support (out of state, or if paid direct), disability payments | award letters, court orders, pay stubs, etc. |
Each of the following are not required but, if returned, you may get more FNS benefits:
| Items | Suggestion of what to provide |
| Mortgage | mortgage coupon or statement |
| Property insurance | statement from insurance company |
| Property tax | tax statement |
| Rent or lot rent | lease agreement, rent receipts with address or statement from landlord |
| Day care expense | receipt or statement from day care provider |
| Legal child support paid for someone outside of your home for the past 2 months | check stubs if deducted by employer, child support agency letter, etc (cannot use money order receipts) |
If age 60, or older, or receiving Social Security Disability you may be eligible for a medical deduction for medical bills, statements or receipts for: doctors, hospitals, prescribed and over-the-counter medicine, Medicare part D premiums, medical insurance premium, transportation to the doctor, attendant or nursing care, medical supplies, dental care, eye glasses, hearing aids.
- For more information about FNS eligibility, visit www2.ncdhhs.gov/dss/foodstamp/index.htm
- Persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or those who are over 60 years of age may be entitled to certain medical deductions. If so, they will be asked to provide verification of these expenses. These recipients must meet the net income scale. All other recipients must meet the gross income scale.
- At each application the interviewer screens for emergency assistance. If one is determined eligible for emergency assistance, the food stamp allotment will be available within 4 days. Otherwise, benefits would be received within 25 days if eligible.
- FNS allotments vary according to the number of eligible household members, income, resources, deductions and other eligibility factors.
- Benefits are issued by an electronic benefits card, which is used just like a bank debit or credit card. Each time the card is used the amount of the purchase is automatically deducted from the food stamp benefits balance. A receipt will be given at the time of purchase showing the remaining balance in the Food Stamp account.
To order a new card, or to retrieve your account information, call 888-622-7328.
Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs)
If you or any member of your household is age 18 through 49 AND is physically and mentally able to work, that person may not be able to get FNS benefits for more than three months. The person may be able to get benefits longer if he or she: is exempt from work requirements, or lives in a household that includes a child under 18 years of age, or is pregnant, or works twenty (20) hours per week, averaged monthly (eighty (80) hours a month), or participates in a work program twenty (20) hours per week, or a combination or work and participating in a work program for a total of 20 hours per week.
