North Carolina Financial Help
North Carolina Financial & Basic Needs Directory
A practical, statewide directory of programs that may help with food, rent, utilities, transportation, clothing, and other basic needs for people on probation, parole, or reentry in North Carolina. Policies, funding, and eligibility rules change often — always contact each agency directly and confirm with your officer or attorney before relying on any program to meet a court or supervision requirement.
Statewide & Online Programs
Coverage: All 100 counties in North Carolina
✅ Public benefits & statewide help Core safety-net programs
NC 211 (United Way)
24/7 helpline and website that connects North Carolinians to verified resources for rent and utility assistance, food, housing, transportation, and more.
24/7 helpline and website that connects North Carolinians to verified resources for rent and utility assistance, food, housing, transportation, and more.
Dial 2-1-1
Food & Nutrition Services (FNS / SNAP)
State food benefits (EBT) for eligible low-income households. Apply online, by mail, or at your local Department of Social Services (DSS).
State food benefits (EBT) for eligible low-income households. Apply online, by mail, or at your local Department of Social Services (DSS).
Local DSS
Work First Family Assistance (TANF)
Time-limited cash assistance and work supports for some families with children. Eligibility and work requirements apply.
Time-limited cash assistance and work supports for some families with children. Eligibility and work requirements apply.
Local DSS
Energy & Crisis Assistance Programs
Seasonal and crisis funding (for example, heating, cooling, or disconnection notices) administered through county DSS and coordinated with NC 211.
Seasonal and crisis funding (for example, heating, cooling, or disconnection notices) administered through county DSS and coordinated with NC 211.
Ask DSS about energy or crisis assistance
Or call NC 211 for the nearest program
Or call NC 211 for the nearest program
Local DSS / 2-1-1
🛠️ Community & local assistance General basic-needs support
County DSS Emergency Assistance
Many county social services offices offer one-time help with rent, deposits, utilities, or other basic needs during a verified crisis.
Many county social services offices offer one-time help with rent, deposits, utilities, or other basic needs during a verified crisis.
Search “<your county> DSS emergency assistance”
Local DSS
Local Faith & Community Ministries
Churches and community nonprofits may offer small-dollar help (gas cards, uniforms, work boots, partial rent, or utilities) when funding is available.
Churches and community nonprofits may offer small-dollar help (gas cards, uniforms, work boots, partial rent, or utilities) when funding is available.
Use NC 211 or your county reentry council to locate programs
Varies by county
ID & Document Assistance
Some reentry programs, nonprofits, and faith groups help with fees for birth certificates, state IDs, and other documents needed for work and housing.
Some reentry programs, nonprofits, and faith groups help with fees for birth certificates, state IDs, and other documents needed for work and housing.
Ask your officer, reentry council, or call 211
Varies
Charlotte & Southern Piedmont
Primary counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Union (NC) and surrounding.
✅ Public benefits & major nonprofits Charlotte-area anchors
Crisis Assistance Ministry
Independent nonprofit providing emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, and basic household goods to income-qualified Mecklenburg County residents.
Independent nonprofit providing emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, and basic household goods to income-qualified Mecklenburg County residents.
Mecklenburg Co.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
Regional food bank serving dozens of counties. Provides food to local pantries, shelters, and meal sites — no probation-specific screening.
Regional food bank serving dozens of counties. Provides food to local pantries, shelters, and meal sites — no probation-specific screening.
Regional
Mecklenburg Coordinated Entry & Housing Help
Central access point for people who are homeless or at immediate risk. Can connect you with shelter, rental help, and related support.
Central access point for people who are homeless or at immediate risk. Can connect you with shelter, rental help, and related support.
Start by calling NC 211 or local coordinated entry line
Mecklenburg Co.
🛠️ Community & local assistance Neighborhood-level help
Local Outreach & Church Ministries
Many churches and outreach centers in the Charlotte region offer food pantries, thrift clothing, or limited emergency funds when available.
Many churches and outreach centers in the Charlotte region offer food pantries, thrift clothing, or limited emergency funds when available.
Use NC 211 or county reentry council listings to locate specific sites
Varies
Cabarrus / Gaston / Union County DSS Programs
County social services offices may offer Work First, FNS, emergency assistance, and other supports linked to employment and family stability.
County social services offices may offer Work First, FNS, emergency assistance, and other supports linked to employment and family stability.
Search your county DSS website for “emergency assistance” or “Work First”
Local DSS
Raleigh–Durham / Triangle
Primary counties: Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston and nearby.
✅ Public benefits & regional nonprofits Triangle-area anchors
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Regional food bank supplying pantries and meal sites across 34 counties, including much of the Triangle and eastern NC.
Regional food bank supplying pantries and meal sites across 34 counties, including much of the Triangle and eastern NC.
Triangle / East
Wake County Financial Assistance (DSS)
County-run programs that may help with rent, deposits, utilities, and food for eligible households facing a verified emergency.
County-run programs that may help with rent, deposits, utilities, and food for eligible households facing a verified emergency.
Search “Wake County DSS emergency assistance” for current programs
Wake Co.
Durham / Orange / Johnston County DSS
Local social services offices for FNS, Work First, Medicaid, and crisis programs. Supports may be tied to employment plans and income limits.
Local social services offices for FNS, Work First, Medicaid, and crisis programs. Supports may be tied to employment plans and income limits.
Check each county DSS site for details and application steps
Local DSS
🛠️ Community & local assistance Neighborhood-based help
Triangle Food Pantries & Clothing Closets
Churches and nonprofits provide groceries, hygiene items, and clothing at no cost. Most do not exclude people on supervision.
Churches and nonprofits provide groceries, hygiene items, and clothing at no cost. Most do not exclude people on supervision.
Use NC 211 or foodbankcenc.org to locate nearby pantries
Triangle
Transportation & Work Support
Some reentry and workforce programs offer limited bus passes, gas cards, or work gear tied to job search or new employment.
Some reentry and workforce programs offer limited bus passes, gas cards, or work gear tied to job search or new employment.
Ask your officer or workforce board, and verify any conditions before accepting help
Varies
Greensboro–Winston-Salem / Triad
Primary counties: Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance, Randolph and surrounding.
✅ Public benefits & regional nonprofits Triad safety-net
Triad Food & Basic Needs Network
Regional mix of food pantries, shelter-linked meal sites, and clothing closets supported by the major food banks and local donors.
Regional mix of food pantries, shelter-linked meal sites, and clothing closets supported by the major food banks and local donors.
Call 211 or check foodbankcenc.org for Triad counties
Regional
Guilford & Forsyth DSS Basic Needs Programs
County social services may provide limited emergency funds for rent, utilities, and other essentials, depending on funding and eligibility.
County social services may provide limited emergency funds for rent, utilities, and other essentials, depending on funding and eligibility.
Check each DSS website under “Emergency Assistance” or “Economic Services”
Local DSS
🛠️ Community & local assistance Community-based resources
Reentry-Friendly Clothing & Household Help
Some nonprofits provide interview clothing, work gear, and basic furnishings to people returning from jail or prison.
Some nonprofits provide interview clothing, work gear, and basic furnishings to people returning from jail or prison.
Ask your probation officer or local reentry council for current referrals
Regional
Eastern & Coastal North Carolina
Examples: Cumberland, New Hanover, Pitt, Craven, Onslow, Wayne and surrounding coastal/eastern counties.
✅ Public benefits & regional nonprofits East & coastal anchors
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina – Coastal Region
Supplies food to pantries, senior programs, and meal sites across eastern counties, including Fayetteville, Wilmington, and surrounding areas.
Supplies food to pantries, senior programs, and meal sites across eastern counties, including Fayetteville, Wilmington, and surrounding areas.
Eastern NC
Cumberland / New Hanover / Pitt DSS
County DSS offices for FNS, Work First, and other economic services. Some offer crisis funds for rent or utilities when available.
County DSS offices for FNS, Work First, and other economic services. Some offer crisis funds for rent or utilities when available.
Check each county DSS site for “Economic Services” or “Food & Nutrition”
Local DSS
🛠️ Community & local assistance Localized support
Coastal Shelters & Rescue Missions
Many coastal cities have rescue missions or shelter ministries that offer meals, short-term lodging, and limited case management.
Many coastal cities have rescue missions or shelter ministries that offer meals, short-term lodging, and limited case management.
Use NC 211 to search by city and filter for shelters or meal programs
Coastal NC
Disaster-Related Assistance
After major storms or floods, additional food, rental, and repair assistance may be available through DSS, FEMA, and community partners.
After major storms or floods, additional food, rental, and repair assistance may be available through DSS, FEMA, and community partners.
Check county emergency management or NC 211 during declared disasters
Eastern & Coastal
Western North Carolina / Mountains
Examples: Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, Watauga, McDowell, and nearby mountain counties.
✅ Public benefits & regional nonprofits Western NC anchors
MANNA FoodBank (Western NC)
Feeding America food bank serving western counties with a network of pantries, mobile markets, and partner agencies.
Feeding America food bank serving western counties with a network of pantries, mobile markets, and partner agencies.
Western NC
Buncombe County Health & Human Services
Administers FNS, Medicaid, Work First, and some emergency funds tied to basic needs and family stability.
Administers FNS, Medicaid, Work First, and some emergency funds tied to basic needs and family stability.
Search “Buncombe County HHS economic services” for up-to-date info
Buncombe Co.
🛠️ Community & local assistance Mountain-area supports
Mountain Church & Community Ministries
Many small towns rely on church-run food pantries, clothing closets, and limited financial assistance. Access and rules differ by site.
Many small towns rely on church-run food pantries, clothing closets, and limited financial assistance. Access and rules differ by site.
Call 211 and ask for food or basic-needs help in your specific county
Western NC
Important: OACRA is an independent justice-tech directory. We are not affiliated with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, probation or parole offices, any court, or the agencies listed above. We do not guarantee eligibility, availability of funds, or that a specific provider will be approved by your officer, attorney, or judge.
Before you rely on any program to meet a supervision condition (for example, community service, treatment, or payment plans), confirm requirements with your supervising officer or legal counsel and keep copies of all receipts or documentation.
Providers & partners: If you are a North Carolina organization serving justice-involved individuals and second-chancers, you can learn about OACRA partnership options here: OACRA subscription plans, Verified Partner Annual Plan , or explore our AI assistant at oacra.com/cora.
