Food & Nutrition Services (FNS, SNAP, Food Stamps)

Services Provided for Families and Children:

In Onslow County, economic support for the health and wellbeing of children and families is a top priority.

Hours of Operation:

Monday and Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday - 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday - 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Appointment Procedure:

Come See Us! We can quickly help you in person. (In-Person Appointments currently on hold due to COVID-19). You can report changes online here.

  • 612 College St. Jacksonville, NC 28541

FNS benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets. FNS benefits are given to you each month on a plastic card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, which works like a debit card.

The FNS Program is an entitlement program, so all eligible individuals and households can receive assistance.

Items that may not be purchased with FNS include:

  • tobacco
  • pet food
  • paper products
  • soap products
  • alcoholic beverages.

Eligible households must be given the opportunity to receive FNS benefits no later than thirty days from the date of application. Individuals with special circumstances must be given an opportunity to receive FNS benefits no later than seven days from the date of application.

 

Helpful Items to Bring:

Listed below are things you may be asked to provide or may be needed to determine your eligibility for FNS. If you do not have any of this information you may still complete an application and interview for services:

Name/Identity:

  • Driver’s License
  • Work/School/Health Benefit ID
  • Voter Registration Card
  • Birth Certificate

Address/Residency:

  • Voter Registration/Library Card
  • Utility Bill
  • Rent/Mortgage receipt
  • Mail received at your address

Earned Income:

  • Check stubs
  • Letter or note from your Employer
  • Employee W-2
  • Income Tax Forms
  • Self-employment Bookkeeping Records

Unearned Income (Social Security, Veterans benefits, Child Support, Retirement):

  • Bank Statement
  • Benefit Award Letter/Benefit Payment Check
  • Child Support Agreement
  • Income Tax Forms

Expenses:

  • Rent or Lease Agreement
  • Mortgage/Property Tax/Homeowner’s Insurance Statement
  • Day Care receipts
  • Medical Expense receipts

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Household Composition
  • Citizenship/Immigration Status
  • Work Requirements
  • Resources
  • Income

Household Composition:

Individuals residing together, but purchasing and preparing their meals separately, may participate in the FNS Program as a separate household. Some individuals, whether they purchase and prepare their meals separately, must participate in the FNS Program as one household.

Individuals who must participate in the FNS Program as one household are:

  • Individuals living together who purchase/prepare their food together or will do so upon receipt of Food and Nutrition Services
  • Spouses living together
  • Individuals under 22 living with a parent
  • Individuals under 18 under the parental control of an adult living in the home; or
  • Two unmarried adults living in the same home who are parents of a mutual child

Citizenship/Immigration Status:

Each member of the FNS household must be an U. S. Citizen, or an immigrant admitted to the United States under a specific immigration status. Citizens and eligible immigrants must also meet all other FNS Program eligibility requirements to receive assistance.

Income:

All households must meet an income test to receive benefits. Income limits vary by household size. See the NC Division of Social Work Services income guidelines for details.

To learn more about the FNS Program, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s web site.

Many women and children in FNS households are also eligible for Food and Nutrition Services through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, administered by the Onslow County Health Department.


You can also...

  • Call us at (910) 455-4145
  • Visit us at 612 S College St., Jacksonville NC 28540
  • By mail - PO Box 1379, Jacksonville, NC 28541

Apply online

Application for Food and Nutrition Services

SNAP Retailer Locator:

Want to know which stores in your area accept Food and Nutrition Services Benefits? USDA has created this retailer locator to help you find retailers that welcome FNS/ SNAP EBT customers. Click the "Select Location" button and enter a starting location. Click a map point to get details and directions. Click "En Español" to view the page in Spanish.

EBT Balance