Money & everyday help

Banking, credit, debt, medical bills, phones, mail, and internet.

Bank accounts, credit reports, and debt collectors

Open / handout

Basic money tools.

County next steps

Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+

Adult treatment, recovery & community resources

Orange County

Orange County DSS

113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough; or 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

919-245-2800

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Durham County

Durham County DSS

414 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

919-560-8000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Wake County

Wake Health & Human Services — Swinburne

220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610

919-212-7000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Key facts

Bank On certified accounts are low-cost with no overdraft fees.
Free credit reports every week from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only official site).
Debt collectors can't harass, threaten, or lie. Ask for a validation notice. Report problems to the CFPB.
SSI and SSDI deposited directly are usually protected from garnishment by most creditors.

Official sources

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Medical bills and medical debt

Open / handout

People have more options than they think.

County next steps

Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+

Adult treatment, recovery & community resources

Orange County

Orange County DSS

113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough; or 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

919-245-2800

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Durham County

Durham County DSS

414 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

919-560-8000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Wake County

Wake Health & Human Services — Swinburne

220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610

919-212-7000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Key facts

Ask the hospital for an itemized bill and its financial assistance application.
Medicaid may cover bills from up to 3 months before applying.
NC has a medical debt relief program with hospitals that wipes out some old medical debt for people with low income. Check NC DHHS for current details.
The No Surprises Act protects against most surprise out-of-network bills.

Official sources

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Phone, mail, and internet access

Open / handout

Staying reachable matters for benefits.

County next steps

Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+

Adult treatment, recovery & community resources

Orange County

Orange County DSS

113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough; or 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

919-245-2800

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Durham County

Durham County DSS

414 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

919-560-8000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Wake County

Wake Health & Human Services — Swinburne

220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610

919-212-7000

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Key facts

Lifeline gives a phone or internet discount (see Food, money & utilities).
A free handset or free plan is not guaranteed. Check the participating company’s device and service charges; ACP ended June 1, 2024.
Mail: USPS General Delivery at a local post office, or a shelter or agency address.
NC public libraries offer free computers, Wi-Fi, and often help with online forms.

Official sources

Last checked November 5, 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.