ASSISTANCE

An Overview of Types of Assistance Available at DSS

Davidson County Department of Social Services provides a wide variety of assistance benefits to help eligible families and individuals maintain their quality of life. Assistance may be short-term (until the recipient no longer needs it), long-term (until the recipient becomes ineligible), or time-limited (for a certain period of time). It should be noted that guidelines for assistance programs are established by the State and Federal governments. Local Departments of Social Services then utilize these guidelines to determine eligibility.

Eligibility criteria differ for each assistance program and applications may be completed in person or forwarded by mail to DSS. [NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply in person at a DSS location as eligibility dates are considered the date DSS receives a signed application.] A caseworker will evaluate each application and may request additional information needed in order to process the application. Review What to Bring to Apply for a list of basic information a caseworker will need. 

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), previously known as “food stamps”, is DSS’ largest assistance program. Families and individuals may be eligible for FNS benefits and while FNS benefits are not time-limited, eligibility must be reviewed periodically. FNS benefit amounts are based on several factors including household composition, income, and household rent/utility costs. The ePass website can be used to determine if a household may be eligible for FNS benefits.

FNS cases are managed by Income Maintenance Caseworkers who also maintain Medical Assistance program cases. Medical Assistance, commonly known as Medicaid, has guidelines and documentation requirements similar to FNS. A variety of Medicaid programs can cover the lifespan of a person from pre-natal to nursing home. Medicaid recipients are also eligible for transportation assistance to medical appointments if needed.

Emergency Assistance may be available to families/individuals during crisis situations primarily related to housing (i.e. inability to pay rent/mortgage, utilities, and/or heating/cooling related expenses). These benefits are typically time-limited and subject to funding availability.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides heating assistance.  Changes in the fall of 2011 removed automatic eligibility for those receiving Food & Nutrition Services benefits; this means everyone will have to apply.  There will be staggarded application periods beginning December 1 for households where everyone is either age 60 or older or there is a disabled person.  Everyone else can apply between February 1 and March 31, providing funds are still available.  Another major change is that the assistance check will be sent to the vendor, not the client.  Click the link above for more detailed information.

If parents are working or going to school to enhance their job skills, Day Care assistance may be available so that children can be cared for in a safe environment. Parents are encouraged to use the NC Child Care star rating system in order to choose a quality day care setting for their children.

DSS provides assistance to families with dependent children through the Work First Family Assistance program.  Assistance provided to eligible families comes in the form of supportive services (i.e. job skills training and employment assistance) as well as temporary financial payments. In order to be eligible, families must meet State financial and reserve requirements and the monthly payment amount is based on the number of eligible family members in the home.

FREE Income tax return preparation is a community collaborative efforts between DSS, Public Libraries, the IRS and other community organizations to provide free federal and state income tax return preparation and electronic filing for low to moderate income households.  Volunteers play a critical role in providing this valuable community service.

Lastly, DSS assists minors (under age 18) seeking employment by providing Youth Work Permits. Youth can electronically create an employment certificate through the NC Department of Labor website or they can obtain a certificate at the DSS location in Lexington (Governmental Center) during regular business hours.

Davidson County Social Services does not discriminate in the provision of services to all qualified persons.