Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers in North Carolina

Where to start

For most families, the first step is to check Medicaid. North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, so some adults who were denied years ago may qualify now. Apply even if you are unsure. A county worker will review each person in your household.

For broader help, the NC grants guide can help you connect health coverage with other benefits. You may also want the national Medicaid guide if you are comparing rules or moving from another state.

Quick reference table

NC Medicaid for single mothers and children

NC Medicaid can cover doctor visits, hospital care, pregnancy care, prescriptions, behavioral health care, vaccines, dental services, vision and hearing care, and other covered services. Your exact coverage depends on your category, plan, provider network, and medical need.

The state says the best way to find out if you qualify is to apply. Families with mixed immigration status can apply for eligible children. A parent does not have to apply for herself in order to apply for a child. If immigration questions affect your family, use official Medicaid information and get help from a trusted legal-aid or navigator source before you decide not to apply.

2026 NC Medicaid income guide

The amounts below are monthly income limits listed by NC Medicaid for common family sizes. They are a guide, not a final decision. Deductions, household rules, age, pregnancy, disability, Medicare, and other facts can change the result. If you are close to a limit, apply.

Use the state Medicaid eligibility page for the newest chart. Do not rely on old screenshots, social posts, or unofficial calculators for a final answer.

How to apply for NC Medicaid

You can apply online through ePASS, in person at DSS, over the phone through your local DSS, or by mail, email, fax, or drop-off. If you apply online, NC Medicaid says you will need an NCID. On the application, Medicaid may be called “Medical Assistance.”

Find your county office through the DSS directory. You can also call the NC Medicaid Contact Center at 1-888-245-0179. If you need a language interpreter, tell the office when you call. If you need disability communication help, ask for it when you contact DSS or Medicaid.

Documents to gather

Do not delay applying because you are missing one paper. Submit the application and send missing items when DSS asks. Having documents ready can still help the case move faster.

After you apply, DSS may ask for more information. Keep your phone number and mailing address current. Open every letter. If you move, report the new address so you do not miss a deadline.

Pregnancy, postpartum, and children’s care

Pregnancy can open doors to coverage that may not be available under adult rules. North Carolina provides 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage for eligible beneficiaries after the pregnancy ends. That can help with follow-up visits, mental health care, dental care, prescriptions, and other covered services during the year after birth.

Read the state page on postpartum coverage and ask your provider or DSS how it applies to your case. If you are pregnant, also check WIC. The national ASMOM WIC guide explains how WIC fits with Medicaid, SNAP, and other support.

For children on Medicaid, Health Check is North Carolina’s name for regular child wellness visits under the federal EPSDT benefit. It can help with checkups, immunizations, screenings, developmental concerns, referrals, and medically necessary follow-up care. See the state’s Health Check page if your child needs more than a basic visit.

If you need dental help, Medicaid dental care is handled differently from some health plan services. Use the state’s dental providers page and call the office before going. Ask if the dentist is taking new NC Medicaid patients and whether they see adults, children, or both. You can also review the ASMOM dental help guide for more options.

Health plans, doctors, and rides

Many NC Medicaid members must choose a managed care health plan and primary care provider. The Enrollment Broker can help you compare plans, find a provider, check enrollment status, change a provider, and learn who to contact. The main number often used for the Enrollment Broker is 833-870-5500.

Before choosing a plan, make a list of the doctors, clinics, specialists, hospitals, medicines, and child providers your family uses. Call the office and ask, “Which NC Medicaid plans do you take right now?” Provider lists can be out of date, so a phone check can save you trouble.

If you have Medicaid and need a ride to covered care, ask your plan or DSS about non-emergency medical transportation. Ride rules can include advance notice, pickup windows, and limits on where the ride can go. If a ride does not show up and it puts care at risk, call the ride line again, call your plan, and ask the Ombudsman what to do next.

For general health coverage basics, see ASMOM’s healthcare guide. If a health issue affects work or pregnancy rights, the North Carolina pregnancy rights guide may also help you find the right agency to ask.

If you are uninsured, waiting, or over the Medicaid limit

If Medicaid is not available to you, check HealthCare.gov. The federal Marketplace has Open Enrollment each year. Outside Open Enrollment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after certain life events, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. Use the official Marketplace dates page and get free help before choosing a plan.

NC Navigator can help with Marketplace plans and Medicaid applications. Navigators are not there to sell you a plan. They can help you compare coverage, avoid application mistakes, and understand what documents may be needed.

Care options while you wait

If health costs are only one part of the problem, you may also need SNAP help, child care, NC housing help, or emergency aid.

Help with medical bills and denials

If you have medical bills, ask about three things: Medicaid coverage for past bills, hospital financial assistance, and payment holds while your application or appeal is reviewed. NC Medicaid application forms allow you to ask about medical bills from before the application month. Rules can change, especially for some groups starting in 2027, so ask DSS how retroactive coverage applies to your case.

North Carolina also has a statewide medical debt effort connected to participating hospitals. NCDHHS says every eligible hospital signed on to the program, and debt relief notices may come from a hospital or Undue Medical Debt. Read the official medical debt page before paying a collector on an old hospital bill that may be affected.

If you get a Medicaid denial, read the notice first. It should explain the reason and appeal rights. Do not ignore the deadline. You can call DSS to ask what is missing, call the Ombudsman if you cannot solve a Medicaid plan or access problem, and contact legal aid if the issue involves an appeal, disability, termination, or rights question. ASMOM’s NC legal help guide can point you to legal-aid paths.

If a disability or serious health condition affects your family’s benefits, review the North Carolina disability assistance guide. Rural families can also check rural help for transportation, clinic access, and local barriers.