Start Here

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If things are hard right now, I'm really glad you picked this up. You are not alone, and there are people all over North Carolina whose whole job is helping you get back on your feet.

Here is the easy first step in North Carolina: dial 211, any time, day or night. To apply for food, cash or health coverage, use ePASS or your county Department of Social Services (DSS). We'll walk through the rest together, one page at a time.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

What should I do first?

Start with the thing that matters most today. If you need a place to sleep tonight, that comes first.

If you have a roof but you're short on food, rent or a utility bill, start there.

NC 211 connects people to local help across the state, from shelter and food to rent and utility help. Dial 211 from most phones. If 211 doesn't connect, call 888.892.1162.

Sources: https://nc211.org/

What is 211, and how does it work?

NC 211 is a phone line and website that knows about local programs near you. You tell them your ZIP code and what you need.

They tell you which places may be able to help, and how to reach them.

You can call 211 for things like shelter, food pantries, rent or utility help, health care, legal help and more. You can also search the NC 211 website yourself.

Sources: https://nc211.org/

BUNKLY TIP

Here is an easy one

Ask 211 for more than one number. If the first place is full, you already know who to call next.

Which guide do I need?

There are 14 guides in this set. Each one goes deeper on one topic.

• Emergency Shelter Tonight, if you need a bed tonight.
• Housing Help, for rent, eviction, deposits and shutoffs.
• Food, for Food Assistance, pantries and meals.
• Clothing and Hygiene, for showers, laundry and clothes.
• Jobs and Job Training, for NCWorks and unemployment.
• Health and Mental Health, for coverage, crisis help and care.
• Domestic Violence Safety and Housing, if you're not safe at home.
• Veterans, for VA and North Carolina veteran help.
• Youth and Young Adults, if you're under 25.
• Getting ID and Documents Back, for birth certificates and state ID.
• Phones and Internet, for Lifeline and Wi-Fi.
• Legal and Tenant Help, for legal aid and your rights.
• How to Make Blessing Bags, if you want to help someone else.

How do I apply for food, cash help and Medicaid?

In North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) sets the rules for the big programs, and your county DSS office runs them. You can apply for several at once on ePASS, the state's online site.

You can also apply on paper or at your county DSS.

• Food and Nutrition Services (North Carolina's name for SNAP) puts money for groceries on an EBT card.
• The Family Independence Program gives temporary cash help to pregnant women and low income families with children.
• The Crisis Intervention Program helps with a heating or cooling emergency, like a shutoff notice. Apply through your county DSS.
• Medicaid covers health care for people who qualify.

Sources: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps and https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/work-first-family-assistance and https://epass.nc.gov/

To reach NCDHHS by phone, call the Customer Service Center at 800.662.7030. Many county DSS offices are listed at the end of this guide.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory

How do I get my ID and papers back?

Lost your ID? It happens to so many people.

Start with your birth certificate and Social Security number, then go to an NCDMV office for a state ID card. NCDMV says an ID card has no fee for people 17 and older. Guide 11 walks you through it.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/identification/Pages/default.aspx

How do I stay connected?

A phone makes everything easier. The federal Lifeline program lowers the cost of phone or internet service for people who get benefits like SNAP or Medicaid.

Libraries have computers and Wi-Fi you can use. Guide 12 has more.

BUNKLY TIP

Write it down

Phones get lost and batteries die. Keep your most important numbers on paper too.

Where can I get help right away?

If you're in danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide or you're in crisis, call or text 988, any time, day or night.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/crisis-services/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline

Questions people ask a lot

BUNKLY TIP

I'm really glad you're here

You picked up this guide, and that's a real step. Be kind to yourself today.

Who can I call in my county?

Here is help that works across North Carolina, then local help in the biggest counties, then a county DSS list for other counties. Call ahead for hours.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

North Carolina

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Wake County (Raleigh)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other counties (call your county DSS)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My plan for this week

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

You're doing the right thing

Asking for help is a strong thing to do, my friend. You don't need to have it all figured out before you call. Take it one step at a time, and call again tomorrow if you need to.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 22, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 22, 2026