Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

What is SNAP (known as Food and Nutrition Services in NC)?

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program that provides low-income families the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. A monthly allotment of benefits is issued via electronic (ATM-type) benefit transfer cards. Since this is an entitlement program, all eligible individuals and households can receive assistance. Benefits may be used to purchase most foods at participating stores. They may not be used to purchase tobacco, pet food, paper products, soap products or alcoholic beverages.

Can people without dependents receive SNAP?

Yes, for a limited time and under certain conditions. People ages 18 through 49 who are able to work, and do not have any dependents, need to meet (with some exceptions) both a general work requirement and an additional work requirement to get SNAP for more than three months in three years (the time limit). Work requirements can be met by:

  • Working at least 80 hours a month. Work can be for pay, for goods or services (something other than money), unpaid or as a volunteer
  • Participating in a work program at least 80 hours a month. A work program could be SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state or local work program
  • Participating in a combination of work and work program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month
  • Participating in workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month (the number of hours will depend on the amount of your SNAP benefit)

FNS Mobile App

If you receive FNS, you can access account information and online customer service through a free mobile application called ebtEDGE. The app will allow you to use your smartphone to look up deposit and transaction history, account balance and benefit schedules. Recipients will also be able to use existing channels to find this information, such as calling 1-888-622-7328.