How to Get Food Assistance in Haywood County, NC

Food assistance can help fill your grocery cart.

Wondering if your budget will cover your grocery bill is a scary thing, especially if you're a parent. Thankfully, there are several options available for food assistance in Haywood County, North Carolina. If you're a Haywood County resident, these resources can help make sure you have food on the table.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Application for Food and Nutrition Services
• Income information
• Expenses information
• Identity documents

1. Apply for Food and Nutrition Services, also referred to as food stamps. You can pick up an application from the Department of Social Services office at 486 East Marshall St. in Waynesville, or download the application (see Resources for a link). In addition to your application, you will need to provide information about your income and expenses, as well as identification documents. This information will be used by a caseworker with the Department of Social Services to determine whether you are eligible for food stamps.

2. During your interview for food stamps, ask the caseworker if you are eligible for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), sometimes referred to as the Commodities Program. This is not full food assistance, but can provide some essentials such as milk, flour and canned goods. If approved, you will receive a letter advising you of the time, date and location to pick up your food.

3. If you are pregnant or have children in the home, apply for food assistance from WIC, the Women, Infants and Children program. While WIC will not cover your entire grocery bill, it will provide some foods. Visit the Haywood County Health Department at 2177 Asheville Road in Waynesville to apply for WIC.

4. Request food assistance from Haywood Christian Ministries at 150 Branner Avenue in Waynesville. After filling out a short information sheet, you will talk to a counselor and get a food voucher. Give the voucher to the volunteer downstairs for some food. To help as many people as possible, Haywood Christian Ministries may limit how often you can get this assistance.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need assistance filling out the application for food stamps, it is available.

• When applying for food and nutrition services, food commodities or WIC, the process goes faster if you have all the information ready.

• Be honest on your application for Food and Nutrition Services. If you lie and are caught, you can face stiff penalties including fines, jail time or being denied food assistance in the future.

References

• North Carolina Division of Socail Services: Food and Nutrition Services
• North Carolina WIC: Women, Infants and Children

Resources

• Haywood County: Department of Social Services Overview
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Application for Food and Nutrition Services