NC ePASS is North Carolina's online portal for Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits, run by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) at epass.nc.gov. The fastest way to apply in 2026 is through the portal; you can also call NC FAST customer service at 888-245-0179 or 2-1-1 NC. Most online applications take 30 to 45 minutes; the state has up to 45 days to process Medicaid and 30 days for SNAP.
The backend eligibility system behind ePASS is NC FAST. The Division of Health Benefits runs Medicaid; the Division of Social Services runs SNAP and TANF. Both are reached through the same application. NC matters in 2026 because Medicaid expansion only took effect December 1, 2023, opening coverage to hundreds of thousands of adults locked out for a decade.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change. Confirm requirements at epass.nc.gov before applying.
How to Apply Through NC ePASS in 2026
NC ePASS handles Medicaid (including expansion adults), NC Health Choice (CHIP), SNAP, and other DSS programs through one combined application. Here is the seven-step flow as it appears in 2026.
1. Create your NC ePASS account at epass.nc.gov
Click "Create Account." You need a working email, phone number, username, and password. The account stores your application, lets you upload documents through the ePASS Document Center, and is where you check status and renew benefits. If you had benefits in the past, use "Forgot Password" rather than creating a duplicate account.
2. Verify your identity
NC ePASS asks identity questions pulled from public records (prior addresses, vehicles, employers). If you cannot pass the questions, you can still complete the application but will need to upload photo ID through the Document Center before approval.
3. Select the programs you want to apply for
Choose any combination of Medicaid, NC Health Choice, SNAP, Special Assistance, Refugee Assistance, or Energy Assistance. Selecting more than one does not slow the application much because most questions overlap. If unsure, apply for everything that might fit.
4. Complete the household and income sections
List everyone in the household, including non-applicants, with date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship to you. Enter every income source: wages, self-employment, Social Security, SSI, pensions, child support, unemployment, VA, rental income. Use gross amounts. Wrong household size or income is the single most common reason cases are denied or delayed.
5. Upload documents through the ePASS Document Center
The Document Center accepts PDFs and phone photos. Upload proof of identity, the last 30 days of pay stubs, proof of NC residency, and any program-specific documents from the checklist below. Submitting documents in the same session cuts processing time significantly.
6. Submit and track your application
Review every section, click submit, and save the application number. Log back into ePASS any time to check status, see what NCDHHS still needs, and read decision notices.
7. Choose a NC Medicaid Managed Care plan (within 90 days of approval)
Most adults approved for full Medicaid are enrolled in NC Medicaid Managed Care through one of five prepaid health plans (PHPs). You have 90 days from your enrollment date to pick a plan or the state auto-assigns you. After the initial 90-day window, you can switch once during annual open enrollment or anytime for a state-approved reason. Plan selection happens at ncmedicaidplans.gov or by calling 833-870-5500.
2026 North Carolina Income Limits for Medicaid and SNAP
NC Medicaid uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) against category-specific FPL percentages. SNAP in NC uses 130% FPL gross and 100% FPL net (NC does not use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, so the gross test is at the federal floor). Households with an elderly or disabled member are tested at 200% FPL gross. The 2026 numbers below come from the HHS poverty guidelines published in January 2026.
| Household Size | NC Medicaid Adult Expansion (138% FPL, monthly) | NC Health Choice / Children CHIP (211% FPL, monthly) | SNAP Gross Limit NC (130% FPL, monthly) | SNAP Net Limit (100% FPL, monthly) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,834 | $2,805 | $1,728 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $2,488 | $3,805 | $2,344 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $3,141 | $4,804 | $2,960 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $3,795 | $5,804 | $3,575 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $4,448 | $6,803 | $4,191 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $5,101 | $7,802 | $4,807 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $5,755 | $8,802 | $5,422 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $6,408 | $9,801 | $6,038 | $4,643 |
| Each additional | +$654 | +$999 | +$616 | +$473 |
Pregnant women in NC qualify for Medicaid up to 196% FPL ($5,232/month for a family of three), and coverage continues for 12 months postpartum. NC Health Choice fills the gap above children's Medicaid up to 211% FPL.
You can check your eligibility for NC benefits in 2 minutes before starting a full application.
What's Different About North Carolina in 2026
NC ePASS behaves differently than portals in non-expansion states. Five things stand out for 2026.
- Medicaid expansion took effect December 1, 2023. NC was the 40th state to expand Medicaid under the ACA after a decade of legislative gridlock. Adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138% FPL now qualify for full Medicaid regardless of disability or whether they have dependent children. If you applied in NC before December 2023 and were denied as an "ineligible adult," reapply.
- Five Medicaid Managed Care plans, plus Tailored Plans. Once approved for full Medicaid you pick from AmeriHealth Caritas NC, Carolina Complete Health (Centene), Healthy Blue (Blue Cross NC), United Healthcare Community Plan, and WellCare of NC. People with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, TBI, or I/DD get Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans (launched July 2024) that bundle physical, behavioral, and pharmacy benefits.
- NCCARE360 connects you to social services beyond Medicaid. NC is the first state with a statewide coordinated social services referral network. Your Medicaid plan can refer you to food, housing, and transportation help through it.
- NC Health Choice covers kids up to 211% FPL. NC's CHIP program covers children whose family income is too high for children's Medicaid but at or below 211% FPL. The portal routes each child to the right program automatically.
- NC has the lowest TANF benefit in the country. Work First Family Assistance pays roughly $272 per month for a family of three in 2026, the lowest in the US. SNAP and Medicaid are the practical safety net here.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Have these ready as PDFs or phone photos. Missing documents are the most common cause of NC ePASS delays in 2026.
- Photo ID for every adult applicant. NC driver's license, NC ID, passport, or military ID.
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying. Children applying for Medicaid or NC Health Choice need SSNs too. Non-applicants do not.
- Proof of North Carolina residency. Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government letter dated within the last 60 days.
- Income verification for the last 30 days. Pay stubs or an employer letter stating gross pay and hours. Self-employed applicants need a profit-and-loss statement, last year's tax return, or 90 days of bank statements.
- Other income proof. Social Security/SSI award letters, pension statements, unemployment letters, child support orders, VA award letters.
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status. US birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or USCIS document.
- Proof of pregnancy (if applying for pregnancy Medicaid). A provider note confirming pregnancy and due date triggers the 196% FPL tier and 12-month postpartum extension.
- Childcare receipts. Used to calculate SNAP deductions. Informal arrangements count if you have proof of payment.
- Housing expense documentation. Lease, rent receipts, mortgage statement, property tax bill, and current utility bills. Used for the SNAP shelter deduction.
- Medical expense receipts (elderly or disabled household members). Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 per month can be deducted from SNAP income for households with someone age 60+ or with a disability.
You do not need every document to start the application. You do need to upload or deliver them within the window NCDHHS gives you (usually 10 days from request) or the case will be denied.
Choosing a NC Medicaid Managed Care Plan
If approved for full Medicaid as an adult, you must enroll in one of five prepaid health plans (PHPs) within 90 days. All five cover the same core benefits; the choice comes down to provider network, pharmacy, and value-added services.
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina. Established Medicaid plan with strong care coordination for chronic conditions.
- Carolina Complete Health. Provider-led plan from the NC Medical Society, the NC Community Health Center Association, and Centene. Built around community health centers.
- Healthy Blue (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC). Backed by NC's largest commercial insurer, with one of the broadest provider networks across all 100 NC counties.
- United Healthcare Community Plan. National Medicaid plan with extensive telehealth and disease management.
- WellCare of North Carolina. Centene plan with strong pharmacy benefits and member rewards.
To switch plans, call NC Medicaid Enrollment at 833-870-5500 or go to ncmedicaidplans.gov. You can switch freely during your first 90 days, then once per year during annual open enrollment, plus anytime for a state-approved reason (moving outside your plan's service area, needing a provider only another plan covers).
If you qualify for a Tailored Plan (serious mental illness, substance use disorder, TBI, or I/DD), you are enrolled in a regional Tailored Plan instead and do not pick from the five standard PHPs.
What Happens After You Apply
After you submit, the case enters NC FAST and is assigned to a county DSS office. Standard processing is up to 45 days for Medicaid and 30 days for SNAP. Expedited SNAP (under $150 monthly gross income and under $100 cash, or rent plus utilities exceeding combined income) must be processed within 7 days.
SNAP requires an interview, usually by phone. Medicaid does not in most cases. Watch for letters and texts requesting verification; you usually have 10 days to respond before denial for "failure to provide."
SNAP benefits load onto an EBT card mailed to you. Medicaid approval comes with an ID card and a managed care packet, with 90 days to pick a PHP. Medicaid can be retroactive up to 3 months if you were eligible then.
If you are denied, the notice tells you why and how to appeal. You have 60 days to request a Medicaid fair hearing and 90 days for SNAP. Request appeals through your ePASS account or by calling 888-245-0179. If you appeal a SNAP termination within 10 days, benefits continue during the appeal.
To check status, log into epass.nc.gov or call 888-245-0179.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did North Carolina expand Medicaid?
Yes. North Carolina expanded Medicaid under the ACA effective December 1, 2023, becoming the 40th state to do so. Adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138% FPL (about $1,834/month for a single adult or $3,795 for a family of four in 2026) now qualify for full Medicaid through NC ePASS regardless of disability or dependent-child status. If you were denied NC Medicaid before December 2023 as a non-disabled adult, reapply.
How long does NC Medicaid take to approve in 2026?
Standard NC Medicaid applications must be processed within 45 days. Disability-based Medicaid (separate medical determination) can take up to 90 days. Pregnant women often get faster decisions. The main reason cases run past 45 days is missing documents, so upload everything through the ePASS Document Center in the same session you apply.
Which NC Medicaid managed care plan is best?
There is no single best plan. All five (AmeriHealth Caritas NC, Carolina Complete Health, Healthy Blue, United Healthcare Community Plan, WellCare of NC) cover the same core benefits. The right plan depends on whether your doctor is in-network, which pharmacy you use, and the value-added services you want (transportation, fitness, OTC allowances). Look up your doctor at ncmedicaidplans.gov before choosing. People with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, TBI, or I/DD get a Tailored Plan instead.
Can I apply for Medicaid and SNAP at the same time on ePASS?
Yes. NC ePASS handles a combined application for Medicaid, NC Health Choice, SNAP, Special Assistance, and other DSS programs in one session. NCDHHS determines eligibility for each program separately.
What is NC Health Choice?
NC Health Choice is North Carolina's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It covers children under age 19 in families whose income is too high for children's Medicaid but at or below 211% FPL (about $5,804/month for a family of four in 2026). Coverage includes doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions, and hospital care with small copays. ePASS routes each child to Medicaid or NC Health Choice automatically based on age and income.
How do I switch NC Medicaid plans?
Call NC Medicaid Enrollment at 833-870-5500 or go to ncmedicaidplans.gov. You can switch freely during your first 90 days after enrollment, then once per year during annual open enrollment, plus anytime for a state-approved reason (moving, needing a specialist only another plan covers, quality-of-care issue). Switching does not affect your Medicaid eligibility.
Check Your Eligibility Before You Apply
NC expanded Medicaid in December 2023, which changed the rules for hundreds of thousands of adults locked out before. A free screening can tell you in 2 minutes whether you qualify for expansion Medicaid, NC Health Choice, SNAP, or other programs.
Check your eligibility for North Carolina benefits in 2 minutes with Benefits USA's free screener. It checks Medicaid, NC Health Choice, SNAP, ACA subsidies, and more at the same time, and links you to the right application for each.
For situation-specific questions, call 888-245-0179 or 2-1-1 NC, or visit your county DSS office.
Check Your Eligibility →
