ASSISTANCE

Food & Nutrition Services
(Servicios de Alimentos y Nutrición)

The purpose of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is to end hunger and improve nutrition and health. This federal food assistance program helps eligible low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.  In North Carolina, monthly allotments of FNS benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT cards).

Food and Nutrition Services is an entitlement program, so 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.

It has been years since this program was officially known as “food stamps”.  A  large majority of people, however, a still know it by this name.  In 2008, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal agency responsible for the administration of the program, officially changed the name to SNAP.  North Carolina chose to continue to call the program Food & Nutrition Services.  The program and the benefits are still the same, and no matter what it is called, the focus remains putting healthy food within reach of low income households.

You can visit the NC ePASS   for additional information on the benefit.  One helpful link provided by the site is a Benefit Estimator.  Your actual benefit can only be determined by a caseworker and you should not let an unfavorable estimate deter you from submitting an application.  ePASS also includes a "walk through" application that can printed and brought to Social Services. 

It is best to come to Social Services to apply because the day you come in is your “eligibility date”. You may also follow one of the links below to obtain and mail an application to Social Services; your eligibility date, however, is the date your completed and signed application is received.   At this time, an FNS application cannot be completed and submitted via the Internet.

Print, complete, and mail this Web Application to:

Davidson County Social Services
PO Box 788
Lexington, NC 27293

OR