Glossary

You are considered a college student if you are enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education.

SNAP/FNS food benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. You can use it to buy food at SNAP authorized retailers. Look for signs that say, “We accept SNAP benefits” or find SNAP authorized retailers near you using the USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator.

North Carolina ePASS is a way to apply for benefits and services online, including SNAP/FNS.

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a program that helps eligible people with limited incomes supplement their budgets so they can purchase food. This is North Carolina’s name for SNAP, or SNAP/FNS.

Anyone who lives with you, who purchases food and eats with you, is considered in your household. If you live with a roommate but do not purchase meals and eat together, your roommate is not a part of your household.

In most cases, your household must meet both the gross and net income limits in order to be eligible for SNAP. Click here to see the current income requirements.

NC DHHS is the NC state agency responsible for overseeing the SNAP/FNS program.

These are documents that can prove you are a U.S. citizen and state resident (i.e. ID, social security cards, lease documents or utility bills). You may be required to provide additional documentation.

These are documents that show your earned and unearned income. These documents may include pay stubs, letters from employers, etc. You may be required to provide additional documentation.

These documents show you are at least enrolled half-time. You may provide a transcript, certificate of enrollment, or financial aid information. You may be required to provide additional documentation.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income individuals or families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being. In North Carolina, it is also known as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), or SNAP/FNS.

SNAP is administered at the federal level by the US Department of Agriculture.