Department(s) of Social Services
Department(s) of Social Services offer an array of services. The Division of Social Services is the state office. The Department(s) of Social Services carry out the functions in the local communities.
Your local DSS offers many services such as state sponsored Medicaid, Adult Protective Services, Food Stamps, help for low income individuals such as financial support and help with locating work, etc. If you need help paying your bills or you need help for someone living in an assisted living facility, the local DSS is a good place to start. (Note: If you suspect adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation, ask for and Adult Care Specialist when you call and specify that you are calling related to abuse.)
Additionally, for grandparents caring for grandchildren, they offer many programs to help children access the care they need. And, they take a lead role in disaster response sheltering.
To find out the type of services offered, use the link below.
Some of the most common programs are listed below.
Community Alternatives Program (CAP)
The CAP program(s) allows North Carolina to use Medicaid funds to provide services in the home and from the community to Medicaid recipients who need a level of care usually provided in a long-term care facility (nursing home). It is more cost effective to provide care in a person's own home and most individuals and families prefer it. All Medicaid eligibility requirements must be met and the care must be able to be provided safely in the community. The most important requirement, though, is that money for the program must be available. Funds are limited and many individuals want this option.
North Carolina has four CAP programs:
CAP/AIDS CAP for children (CAP/C) CAP for disabled adults (CAP/DA) CAP for the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled (CAP/MR-DD)
Special Assistance for Adults
Special Assistance is a program that pays for an individual to reside in a group home, family care home, Adult Care Home, or assisted living facility. A FL-2/MR-2 form, completed and signed by the attending physician, is required in order to authorize Special Assistance. Talk to your doctor if you think your family member needs the supervised care provided by Adult Care Homes. Applications are made at the local county Department of Social Services.There are two Special Assistance Programs:
Special Assistance for the Aged (age 65 and over) Special Assistance for the Disabled (ages 18 to 64)
Assessing the Needs of Your Family Member
For More Information on Adult Care Homes
Special Assistance
Food Stamps
"The Food Stamp Program is a federal program that provides a monthly allotment of Food Stamp benefits issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (ATM cards). Food Stamp benefits may be used to purchase most foods at participating stores.Applications are taken at county Departments of Social Services in the county in which the household resides. "
Personal Care Services
This program provides in-home aide services to eligible Medicaid-eligible persons who require personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.).
Other Programs
Check with your local Department of Social Services, Adult Care Section, to find out other programs for which you may qualify. Use links at the top of this page.
| Call Your Local Department of Social Services if You Need Help |  |
