How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in North Carolina?

Call the NC Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline), or contact your county Department of Social Services directly — available 24 hours a day. DSS is legally required to investigate all reports involving children. You do not have to be certain abuse has occurred to make a report; a reasonable concern is enough.

What cash assistance is available for families with children in North Carolina?

North Carolina's Work First program is the state's version of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It provides short-term cash assistance and employment support to eligible low-income families with children. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on household size and income. Apply through your county DSS office or online at epass.nc.gov. Work First is time-limited, so a DSS caseworker can also help connect you with longer-term supports.

Is there help with childcare costs in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina administers the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy program, which helps income-eligible working families, students, and families involved with child protective services pay for licensed childcare. Eligibility and waiting lists vary by county. Contact your county DSS office or call 2-1-1 to ask about current availability and how to apply in your area.

Where can a North Carolina family turn if they are about to lose their housing?

Start by calling 2-1-1 North Carolina, which can connect you to local emergency rental assistance programs, community action agencies, and HUD-funded resources in your county. North Carolina's Continuum of Care networks, coordinated through local planning bodies, also fund emergency shelter and rapid rehousing for families. If homelessness is imminent, ask 2-1-1 specifically about your county's Coordinated Entry system, which is the official access point for HUD-funded homeless assistance in most parts of the state.

Child & Family Assistance Resources in North Carolina

Last updated September 11, 2026

North Carolina families facing hardship have access to a broad network of state and federally funded programs covering basic needs like food, healthcare, housing stability, and child welfare. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) oversees many of these programs through county departments of social services (DSS), which serve as the front door to services for children, parents, and caregivers across all 100 counties.

If you are unsure where to start, calling 2-1-1 (or texting your zip code to 898-211) connects you to 2-1-1 North Carolina, a free, confidential referral service available around the clock. Trained specialists can identify local resources for food, utilities, rent, childcare, mental health, and more — in multiple languages. This is often the fastest way to learn what you qualify for in your specific county.

For families in immediate crisis — including those experiencing domestic violence, a mental health emergency, or housing loss — dedicated hotlines and emergency programs are available 24 hours a day. The sections below highlight the most important programs for North Carolina children and families, with clear guidance on how to access each one.

Key programs in North Carolina

NC DHHS County Departments of Social Services (DSS)

The entry point for child protective services, foster care and adoption support, Work First (NC's TANF cash assistance), child support enforcement, and referrals to most state benefit programs. Every North Carolina county has its own DSS office.

How to access: Find your county DSS office through the NCDHHS directory at ncdhhs.gov, or call 2-1-1 to be connected. You can also apply for multiple benefits online at epass.nc.gov.

SNAP and WIC (Food Assistance)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly electronic benefits to purchase groceries for eligible low-income households. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) adds targeted food support, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding assistance for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5.

How to access: Apply for SNAP online at epass.nc.gov or at your county DSS office. Apply for WIC by contacting your local WIC agency — find it at ncdhhs.gov/wic or call 2-1-1 for the nearest location.

Medicaid and NC Health Choice (Health Coverage for Families and Children)

North Carolina Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescriptions, and more for eligible low-income children, pregnant women, parents, and individuals. NC Health Choice provides low-cost coverage for children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance.

How to access: Apply online at epass.nc.gov, at your county DSS office, or by calling the NC Medicaid enrollment line. Enrollment is year-round with no waiting period for eligible children and pregnant women.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

Federally funded heating and cooling assistance for low-income households with children or other vulnerable members. In North Carolina, LIHEAP is administered through county DSS offices and, in some areas, community action agencies. It can help pay utility bills and, in some cases, provide crisis energy assistance.

How to access: Apply through your county DSS office or a local community action agency. Call 2-1-1 to find the agency nearest you and ask about current program availability, as funds are distributed seasonally and can be limited.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline

WIC Program teaches her how to breastfeed. Once she’s had her baby, WIC provides peer counseling and support as well as breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies. Breastfeeding moms on WIC also receive more food and for a longer time period.

Cameron, Texas(254) 697-4913

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Other resources in North Carolina

Child & Family Assistance in other states

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