Social workers are available to help people locate resources for rent, utilities and food as well as deal with other types of financial crises.

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program designed to help eligible low-income households buy the food they need for nutritional meals.

To apply there are several ways this can be done. You can come into our office located at 1650 Greenfield Street or apply on line at https://epass.nc.gov. An interview will need to be completed by a caseworker but can be completed over the phone if you are unable to come into the office.

For more information contact Amber Garner at  (910) 798-3718.

The following verifications may be needed to complete your application.

• Identification
• Social Security Cards or numbers for all household members
• Proof of residence: Lease, rent or mortgage receipts, utility bill
• Proof of income: Pay stub, SSI, Social Security, Work First, Pensions, Child Support, or other income
• Bank accounts: Recent bank statements
• Rent/mortgage receipts
• If a homeowner: A copy of your tax bill and homeowner’s insurance
• If elderly/disables: Unpaid medical bills, prescriptions, health and hospital insurance
• If employed or in school full time: Proof of child care costs

Income Guidelines

Medicaid is a health insurance for adults and families whose income makes it difficult to pay for health care. It is a federally funded program governed by federal and state laws.

Eligibility for Medicaid is based on various income guidelines.
To receive Medicaid you must:

• Be a US Citizen or qualified alien
• Live in North Carolina
• Have or have applied for a Social Security number

To apply there are several ways this can be done. You can come into our office located at 1650 Greenfield Street or apply on line at https://epass.nc.gov.  Applications may be requested to be mailed – face to face interviews are not required.

Information that may be requested to complete an application : 

• Income verification for the household – earnings, Social Security, Veterans Benefits, Unemployment benefits, child support, etc.
• Documents to verify each household member – birth certificates, social security cards
• Paid or unpaid medical bills
• Bank statements
• Life insurance policy

Hours of operations:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 8 AM-5PM and 8 AM – 6PM on Wednesdays

For more information contact Lori Harvey at (910) 798-3747.

NOTICE: Hawkins v. Cohen (5:17-CV-581 E.D.N.C.) is a federal lawsuit filed in 2017 on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries in North Carolina. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of N.C. has ordered the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and all 100 county departments of social services to stop terminations or reductions of Medicaid benefits until eligibility under all Medicaid categories has been considered and proper notice of the termination has been sent. Read the notice here.

Ver el aviso en español.

Work First provides time-limited financial assistance to poor families, while emphasizing personal responsibility and employment.

For more information contact Kenda Rodenberg at (910) 798-3747.

To see a copy of the 2010-2011 New Hanover County Work First Plan click on the link below for Year 2011. Work First is North Carolina’s welfare reform program and the plan is required from each county to explain strategies for providing employment services and temporary financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF).

Any comments about the plan should be sent in writing to:

Michelle Winstead, Director
New Hanover County Department of Social Services
1650 Greenfield Street
PO Drawer 1559
Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 798-3627 FAX
mwinstead@nhcgov.com

Work First Plan

• Work First Plan 2010-2011
• Work First Plan 2007-2009
• Work First Plan 2005-2007
• Work First Plan 2003-2005
• Work First Plan 2001-2003

Employment Services provides applicants/recipients of the Work First program assistance in developing plans and supportive services that will aid the families in becoming economically self-sufficient.

For more information contact Barbette Colvin at (910) 798-3780