Social Services

New SNAP Rule Does Not Impact NC

The USDA issued a new rule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but it does not apply to NC and does not impact people who receive SNAP benefits in the state.

Learn more about the SNAP rule

Adoption

Adoption Services help find permanent homes for children and to provide support to the families who adopt them.

Learn more about adoption

Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps)

Food and Nutrition Services is a federal food assistance program that provides low-income families buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.

Learn more about food and nutrition services

About DSS

Learn more about our Mission, Organization and the Social Services Commission.

Adult Services

Programs and services that serve and protect older and vulnerable adults.

Child Support Services

Available services to assist in collecting child support through a network of state and locally run offices.

Child Welfare Services

Information about adoption, child protective services, foster care, licensing, independent living services (LINKS) and more.

Energy Assistance

Programs to assist with heating and or cooling costs.

Refugee Services

Short-term transitional assistance to help refugees become self-sufficient.

Special Assistance

Provides a cash supplement to eligible low-income aged or disabled individuals, to help pay for room and board in approved residential facilities or to remain at home.

Work First Family Assistance

Helps parents support themselves and their families by offering short-term training and other services to increase chances of employment.

County Staff Information

A central hub for local Social Services Agencies and local partners to find information.

Local County Directory

North Carolina has 100 counties. Each county has a local Social Services Agency.

Reports and Statistics

Find social services reports and statistics.

Additional Resources

What We Do

The Division of Social Services (DSS) provides guidance and technical assistance to agencies that provide direct services that address issues of poverty, family violence and exploitation. DSS promotes self-reliance and self-sufficiency and works to prevent abuse, neglect, dependency and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, children and their families. DSS works to accomplish this through the following Family Centered Principles of Partnership:

Everyone desires respect.
Everyone needs to be heard.
Everyone has strengths.
Judgments can wait.
Partners share power.
Partnership is a process.

The single administrative agency in North Carolina is the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). This umbrella agency includes separate divisions. Some of the other DHHS divisions with the greatest impact on local offices include:

Child Protective Services: If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact your local county Department of Social Services.

Leadership

Division Director, Human Services - Child Support, Economic Services, Aging, and Operations - Carla West
Division Director, Human Services - Child, Family, and Adult, Regional Support - Lisa Tucker Cauley

NCDHHS has released the Specialized Foster Care Plan Policy Paper, which describes key design features related to foster care eligibility and enrollment, benefits, care management and quality, among other areas.

Contact Us

Location
NCDHHS - Division of Social Services
Dorothea Dix Campus, McBryde Building
820 S. Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603

Mailing Address
NC Division of Social Services
2401 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 - 2401
Contact Social Services

Main Numbers
Phone: 919-527-6335
Fax: 919-334-1018

Child Support
919-855-4755
Contact Child Support

Child Welfare Service Constituent Concerns Office
919-527-6340
Child Welfare Services Support