my80hours › States › North Carolina
North Carolina work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid
What the 80-hour rule means in North Carolina, who runs it, and where to send your proof.
🛒 SNAP in North Carolina
Called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), run by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Child and Family Well-Being; administered by county DSS offices.
Adults 18–64 without a child under 14 at home need 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or training, or an exemption, to keep SNAP past 3 months in 3 years.
🩺 Medicaid in North Carolina
Expansion coverage is called NC Medicaid Expansion. North Carolina expanded Medicaid, so the work rule applies to adults 19–64 in the expansion group, starting January 1, 2027.
Run by NCDHHS, NC Medicaid (Division of Health Benefits).
📌 NC Medicaid Expansion work requirements start 2027-01-01; at renewal must meet in 3 of the 6 months before recertification. SNAP: no ABAWD time-limit waiver in effect as of 2026-10-01 per USDA FNS; time limit applies statewide. NC calls SNAP 'Food and Nutrition Services' (FNS).
Where to report and upload proof
- ePASS: report changes and upload documents
- Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) work rules (official)
- NC Medicaid Expansion (official)
Always follow the deadlines in the letters North Carolina sends you. If you get a notice about work requirements, answer it before the due date, even if you think you’re exempt.
What counts toward 80 hours
- Paid work, including gig work like delivery or rideshare
- Volunteering or community service (usually with a nonprofit or public agency)
- Job training or a work program, including SNAP Employment & Training
- For Medicaid: school at least half-time, or monthly income of at least $580
Check if you’re exempt · How to prove volunteer hours
Keep proof of every hour
my80hours is a free app that logs your hours, saves photos of pay stubs and sign-in sheets, gets volunteer letters signed, and makes a PDF for your caseworker. No sign-up. Your info stays on your phone.
Start my free logState details last checked October 10, 2026.
This page explains federal rules as of October 10, 2026. It is not legal advice and my80hours is not a government site. Your state sets many details, so always follow the notices your state sends you, and ask your caseworker or a legal aid office if you’re unsure.
Sources
- www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stam
- medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/impact-hr-1-and-federal-changes-medicaid/work-and-commun
- fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/FY26-Quarter-3-ABAWD-Waiver-Statu
- www.kff.org/medicaid/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/
- www.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-waiver-tracker-approved-and-pending-section-1115-waivers-by-
- www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/FY27-Quarter-1-ABAWD-Waiver-Status.pdf