How to Apply for TANF in North Carolina

North Carolina brands its TANF cash program Work First, and it's run county-by-county through local Departments of Social Services rather than a single state office, though the state's ePASS portal now lets you apply and track your case online statewide. Work First leans on a Mutual Responsibility Agreement (Outcome Plan) that families sign once they move into the work component, and benefits are capped at 24 months at a time, with a three-year wait before reapplying and a federal 60-month lifetime limit overall. Families who leave Work First for a job can even receive a job bonus payment for up to three months.

Updated August 2026

1. 1

   Apply online through ePASS

   Apply, check your application status, or manage your case at epass.nc.gov, North Carolina's statewide online benefits portal.

2. 2

   Or apply in person at your county DSS

   Find and apply at your local Department of Social Services using the Local DSS Directory on ncdhhs.gov.

3. 3

   Provide identity and eligibility documentation

   Bring a passport, ID, or other primary documents for identity and citizenship, a birth certificate for age and kinship, and a valid NC driver's license, lease, or utility bill to verify address.

4. 4

   Verify income, Social Security number, and assets

   Provide a valid Social Security card or number, wage stubs or employer verification, tax forms or award letters for income, and ownership, bank, or court records for assets and resources.

5. 5

   Sign a Mutual Responsibility Agreement

   Once you move into the work component of Work First, you must sign a Mutual Responsibility Agreement (Outcome Plan) outlining required work activities to continue receiving benefits.

Verified against the official North Carolina TANF agency site. View source