SNAP in North Carolina: Income Limits, EBT Payment Dates and How to Apply

Last verified: 2026-09-23

Food and Nutrition Services is what North Carolina calls SNAP, and it pays for groceries through the North Carolina EBT Card. From October 1, 2026 the gross income limit is $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for four, the maximum benefit for a family of four is $1,023, and benefits land on the 3rd through the 21st on odd-numbered dates. Every figure on this page is from USDA's FY2027 cost-of-living memo or North Carolina's own SNAP pages, dated 2026-09-23.

Program name	Food and Nutrition Services
EBT card	North Carolina EBT Card
Apply	epass.nc.gov · 866-719-0141
EBT card line	888-622-7328
Gross income test	200% of poverty (broad-based categorical eligibility)
Asset test	none for most households
Payment dates	3rd to 21st on odd-numbered dates, by the last digit of the primary cardholder's Social Security number

Income limits in North Carolina from October 1, 2026

North Carolina uses broad-based categorical eligibility, which raises the gross income test from the federal 130% of poverty to 200%, and has no asset test for most households. The net income test, 100% of poverty after deductions, still decides whether you get anything and how much. In practice a household over 130% but under 200% usually qualifies only if rent, child care or medical costs bring net income down.

Household size	Gross monthly limit (200%)	Net monthly limit (100%)	Maximum benefit
1	$2,660	$1,330	$306
2	$3,607	$1,804	$562
3	$4,554	$2,277	$808
4	$5,500	$2,750	$1,023
5	$6,447	$3,224	$1,217
6	$7,394	$3,697	$1,463
7	$8,340	$4,170	$1,616
8	$9,287	$4,644	$1,841
Each additional	+$947	+$474	+$225

FY2027, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Income limits computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guideline the way USDA computes them. Households with a member who is 60 or older or disabled skip the gross test and face only the net test.

Net income in North Carolina is figured after the $217 standard deduction for households of one to three, 20% of earnings, dependent care, and shelter costs capped at $769; the SNAP benefits guide walks through the arithmetic.

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina is one of 28 states and DC that set the gross test at 200% of poverty, the most generous band in the country, and one of 38 states and DC with no asset test. Payments are spread over 19 days of the month, one of the longer windows; a household near the end of the alphabet or case-number range waits almost three weeks past the 1st. On accuracy, North Carolina ranked 15 of 51 in FY2025 (1 is the lowest error rate).

When North Carolina loads benefits

Per USDA's issuance schedule, North Carolina pays on the 3rd to 21st on odd-numbered dates, by the last digit of the primary cardholder's Social Security number. Benefits post overnight and are spendable the next morning; unused benefits roll over month to month but are removed after nine months without use. USDA's published schedule has not been refreshed since 2021, so if a date matters, confirm it at www.ncdhhs.gov.

How to apply in North Carolina

Apply online at epass.nc.gov, or call 866-719-0141. Paper and in-person applications also work; the date the office receives any signed application with your name and address is the date your benefits start from.
Under $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in the bank, or income plus cash below rent and utilities? Say expedited; 7 CFR 273.2(i) requires benefits within seven days.
Do the phone interview, send proof, and set a PIN on the North Carolina EBT Card when it arrives.

Card problems, balances and PIN changes: 888-622-7328. A SNAP case also qualifies you for a free Lifeline phone; the carriers serving North Carolina are ranked on our North Carolina phone guide, and the paperwork is on free phone with food stamps.

North Carolina specifics

North Carolina's SNAP payment error rate for FY2025 was 7.36% against a national 10.62%. Under the 2025 law, a rate in that band would put North Carolina in the 5% cost-share tier when states start paying a share of benefits from October 2027. That is a budget question for the state, not a change to your eligibility, but it is why several states are tightening verification now.
Local offices serve Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and every county; the state phone line above routes you to yours.

The 2025 federal law's changes, from the age-64 time limit to the end of the internet deduction, apply in North Carolina as everywhere and are listed on the SNAP benefits guide. Health coverage for the same household is on the North Carolina Medicaid page.

Common questions

What is the SNAP income limit in North Carolina in 2026-27?

From October 1, 2026, $2,660 a month gross for one person and $5,500 for a household of four, because North Carolina uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200% of the poverty guideline. Net income after deductions must also be at or below 100% of poverty: $1,330 for one person and $2,750 for four.

How much does SNAP pay in North Carolina?

Up to $306 a month for one person and $1,023 for four in FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027); minimum $25 for one or two people.

When are SNAP benefits deposited in North Carolina?

3rd to 21st on odd-numbered dates, by the last digit of the primary cardholder's Social Security number, per USDA's schedule, onto the North Carolina EBT Card.

What is the North Carolina EBT card called, and who do I call about it?

The North Carolina EBT Card; card problems go to 888-622-7328 and case questions to 866-719-0141.

Sources

Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.