Grants for Single Mothers in North Carolina

Where to start

Quick help map

How to apply for North Carolina benefits

ePASS accepts online applications for Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid, Work First, and energy assistance. You can also apply through county DSS by telephone, mail, fax, drop-off, or in person when the program allows it.

1. Submit the application even when one document is missing.
2. Complete every required interview or follow-up call.
3. Upload or send proof by the date on the notice.
4. Save confirmation pages, upload receipts, fax records, and mailed copies.
5. Update your address, phone, email, income, and household changes.

For Food and Nutrition Services, an application with a legible name, address, and signature can protect the filing date. For Work First, the county must offer an application and can conduct the interview by telephone. Ask the worker to screen the family for every related program instead of applying for only one.

Cash help, unemployment, and child support

Work First cash assistance

Work First is North Carolina’s TANF cash program. It serves some low-income families with children and focuses on short-term help, work, and family stability. Parents may need to sign a Mutual Responsibility Agreement and complete assigned work activities unless an exception or good-cause rule applies.

Cash assistance is not a full paycheck and may not cover the family’s total rent and bills. Ask for Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid, child care, energy help, and child support at the same time. ASMOM’s North Carolina TANF guide explains the detailed application and work rules.

Benefit Diversion

Benefit Diversion is a one-time option for a family facing a temporary problem connected to work or stability. It may include a lump-sum payment equal to as much as three months of Work First benefits, plus referrals to other services.

Counties can choose whether to offer Benefit Diversion. A family can receive it only once within a 12-month period. Ask the worker to explain how taking the lump sum affects later Work First eligibility before agreeing to it.

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance is short-term help for a specific family crisis, such as an eviction notice or utility cutoff. Every county must operate the program, but local rules, covered costs, and available funds can differ. Assistance cannot continue for more than four months.

Unemployment after job loss

If you recently worked and lost your main job through no fault of your own, apply through the unemployment application. File weekly certifications while the claim is pending and answer requests from the Division of Employment Security.

Child support services

NC Child Support Services can help locate a parent, establish parentage, obtain or modify an order, enforce support, and process payments. A standard application currently has a $25 fee, with a possible $10 reduced fee for applicants below 100% of federal poverty guidelines.

If child support contact may create a safety problem, tell the agency before enforcement steps begin. ASMOM’s North Carolina support guide explains the process and safety questions.

Food help, WIC, and summer benefits

Food and Nutrition Services

Food and Nutrition Services is North Carolina’s SNAP program. Eligible households receive an EBT card for approved food. A normal application should be decided within 30 calendar days.

A household may qualify for expedited access within seven days when gross monthly income is under $150 and cash is $100 or less, when rent or mortgage and utilities are greater than available income and money, or when a qualifying migrant or seasonal farmworker rule applies.

Report rent, mortgage, utilities, dependent care needed for work or school, and child support paid outside the home. These costs can affect the benefit calculation. ASMOM’s North Carolina SNAP guide covers interviews, deductions, food pantries, and EBT safety.

WIC nutrition support

Apply for WIC if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under age 5. WIC provides approved foods, nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and referrals.

People receiving Medicaid, Work First, or Food and Nutrition Services automatically meet the WIC income test, but the clinic still completes identity, residence, and nutrition screening. ASMOM’s North Carolina WIC guide explains appointments and documents.

SUN Bucks in summer 2026

SUN Bucks provides a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child in summer 2026. Many children qualify automatically. Families who must apply have until August 15, 2026. Call 866-719-0141 and choose the SUN Bucks option when you need help with eligibility, cards, or an address change.

Health coverage and child care

NC Medicaid

Use the official Medicaid application page to apply online, through HealthCare.gov, or through county DSS. North Carolina Medicaid covers eligible children, pregnant people, parents, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities under different rules.

Medicaid expansion covers many adults ages 19 through 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Income limits update each year, so do not rely on an old dollar chart. Apply and let the county review the correct category.

The Medicaid expansion page explains covered services and general eligibility. ASMOM’s North Carolina health guide covers clinics, pregnancy coverage, renewals, and medical transportation.

Child care subsidy

North Carolina’s child care subsidy helps eligible families pay approved providers while a parent works, attends school or training, or meets certain child welfare needs. Apply through the county where you live.

Eligibility normally remains valid for 12 months while the family remains eligible. Parents must report changes that may affect eligibility within five working days. Counties can have limited funding or waiting lists, so ask for the application date, current list status, parent fee, and provider-search help.

ASMOM’s North Carolina child care guide provides county contacts and backup options.

Housing, rent, shelter, and utility help

Emergency housing and rent

North Carolina does not have one open statewide fund that pays every past-due rent bill. Call 211 and ask for coordinated entry, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, shelter diversion, and local rent funds serving your county.

Use NCHousingSearch to look for affordable rentals. The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency does not issue Section 8 vouchers. Its rent assistance page directs applicants to local public housing authorities.

The federal HUD resource locator can help identify housing authorities and subsidized properties. Waitlists open and close separately, so apply to more than one location that would work for your family. ASMOM’s North Carolina housing guide covers shelters, vouchers, affordable apartments, and eviction resources.

Heating and cooling bills

LIEAP heating aid makes a one-time annual payment to an eligible household’s heating vendor. The 2025–2026 application period ended March 31, 2026, or earlier where funds were exhausted. Check county DSS for the next season’s dates instead of using an old application.

The Crisis Intervention Program is the crisis path when a heating or cooling problem threatens health or safety. Applications can currently be submitted by mail, email, fax, or drop-off, and a face-to-face interview or disconnect notice is not required. Funding remains limited.

ASMOM’s North Carolina utility guide explains county intake, company payment plans, and documents.

College grants, job training, and tax help

Next NC Scholarship

The Next NC Scholarship combines federal Pell Grant funds and state aid for eligible North Carolina students. The FAFSA is the application; there is no separate Next NC form.

The 2026 priority date was June 1 for UNC System universities and is August 15 for North Carolina community colleges. Applications after a priority date may still be reviewed in order received while funds remain.

Finish Line Grants

Finish Line Grants can provide up to $1,000 per semester at participating community colleges for an unexpected hardship that could stop a student from finishing. Covered needs can include housing, medical costs, dependent care, transportation, and other emergencies.

ASMOM’s North Carolina education guide covers FAFSA, scholarships, books, child care, and school emergency funds.

Employment and training

NCWorks Online provides job listings, résumé tools, career information, and training searches. Local career centers may also help with job search, workshops, computers, and training eligibility.

Free tax preparation

Tax credits are not public-assistance grants, but a qualifying return can lower tax or create a refund. Use the IRS free tax preparation locator for VITA and TCE services. Do not pay a preparer who promises a refund before reviewing your records.

Documents and information to gather

Apply even when one paper is missing. Ask what other proof the office accepts and save a copy of every item submitted.

Use ASMOM’s benefits documents checklist to organize papers, passwords, notices, and call notes.

If benefits are denied, delayed, or closed

Read the notice for the reason, effective date, missing proof, and hearing instructions. Ask what exact fact or rule caused the decision. A phone call to a worker does not always protect an appeal deadline.

Use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide to organize the case. The North Carolina legal guide lists legal-aid and court-help paths.