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North Carolina

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on July 16, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in North Carolina, we recommend that you visit the state's COVID-19 Information Hub, the North Carolina Department of Commerce or the North Carolina Center for Nonprofit Organizations' Nonprofit Pandemic Resources

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Description of Program and Relief

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Work First)

North Carolina provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, called Work First, to eligible families. Although no specific guidance has issued with respect to COVID-19, affected families may qualify if they meet eligibility requirements (below). In addition to a cash benefit, Work First provides parents with short-term training and other services to help them become employed and move toward self-sufficiency. Families in which grandparents and relatives are caring for their relative children and legal guardians can receive services and support that prevent children from unnecessarily entering the foster care system.

Government or Lead Agency

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Dates Available

Available now

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Information on the program is available here. Generally, to be eligible, an applicant’s children or dependents must be age 17 or younger. The applicant must be a U.S. National or qualified immigrant, live in the state, and must not be incarcerated or institutionalized. The applicant’s liquid resources may not exceed $3,000.00. Resources include cash or anything that can be converted to cash within 5 business days, excluding vehicles. The total countable earned and unearned income of the applicant’s family unit must not exceed a specified “Need Standard” for a family unit of that size.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dss/social-services-contact-form

Customer Service Center: (800) 662-7030

List of Additional Information

For more information or to apply, please visit:

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/work-first-family-assistance.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/work-first-family-assistance/about-work-first

https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/dss/Draft-TANF-STATE-PLAN-2016-2019.pdf

https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/dss/2019-2022-TANF-STATE-PLAN-DRAFT.pdf


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