SNAP Documentation Guide
Preparing Your SNAP Application
Gathering your documents before you apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, helps to ensure the NC Department of Social Services (DSS) will have the information needed for your application.
Use this checklist to gather the information and documents you need to submit your application.
What Do You Need?
While DSS may not require every document immediately, having these items ready will allow DSS to review and process your application as quickly as possible.
Identification & Household Information
In most cases, this is everyone who you live with and buy and cook food with. In certain cases, such as mixed citizen status households the SNAP application household may be different.
- Proof of Identity: Driver’s license, state photo ID, passport, or birth certificate.
- Social Security Numbers (SSNs): SSNs and dates of birth for all household members applying for benefits.
- Proof of Address: Driver’s license with current address, utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement. (Note: If you are unhoused, you can still apply without a fixed address!).
Proof of Income
The application will ask you to provide proof of income for the last 30 days for everyone in your household who earns income:
- Earned Income: Pay stubs covering the last 30 consecutive days, or a signed statement from your employer stating your gross earnings and hours worked.
- Self-Employment: Tax returns, 1099 forms, or recent business accounting/receipt books.
- Unearned Income: Award letters or statements showing income from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Disability, Unemployment, Child Support, Alimony, or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
Monthly Household Expenses
Reporting your expenses can increase the amount of SNAP/FNS benefits you receive:
- Housing Costs: Lease, rent receipt, or current mortgage statement. Homeowners insurance, property taxes also can be included with Housing Costs.
- Utility Costs: Electric, gas, water, or telephone bills that are in your name will be counted as a household expense.
- Childcare Expenses: Statements showing payments made for child or adult dependent care required for work or training.
Medical Expenses (exceptions apply)
If you are over 60 years old and/or disabled and actively paying medical bills you should include these with your application, so they are counted as deductions.
- Medical Bills: set payment plans or lump payments made with proof of payment.
- Explanation of Benefits (EOB): or other detailed receipts showing unreimbursed medical expenses.
- Receipts for medical equipment: wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, hearing aids, etc.
There is no limit to the number of medical expenses you can include with your SNAP application.
Ready to Apply?
Once you have gathered your documents, you can submit your SNAP application directly to North Carolina DSS. Visit ncdhhs.gov and search for “Apply for SNAP”