Special groups

Young adults 18+, older adults, adult caregivers, I/DD, language access, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ adults.

Young adults 18+ with foster-care experience

Some young adults with foster-care experience qualify for extra supports through age 21 or 26; county DSS confirms eligibility.

County next steps

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

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

Extended foster care in NC can continue to age 21.
Adults 18–21 with foster-care experience can ask county DSS about NC LINKS support for housing, school, and jobs.
Former foster youth can have Medicaid until age 26.
First-episode psychosis programs help young people early.

Official sources

NC DHHS: LINKS

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

Older adults

Open / handout

Help for people 60+.

County next steps

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

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

Area Agencies on Aging connect people to meals, in-home help, and caregiver support.
Adult Protective Services (county DSS) responds to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults.
SHIIP helps with Medicare choices.

Official sources

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

Families and caregivers

Open / handout

Support for the people around the person.

County next steps

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

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 an adult’s treatment team about support and education for family members and caregivers, with the adult’s consent.
NAMI NC offers free family classes and support groups.
Kinship care: relatives raising children may get help through DSS.
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) helps families of people who use substances.

Official sources

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

People with I/DD and mental health needs

Open / handout

Dual diagnosis of I/DD and mental illness needs coordinated care.

County next steps

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

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

NC START offers crisis prevention and support for people with I/DD and mental health needs.
Join the Innovations waitlist early (see Health coverage).

Official sources

NC DHHS: I/DD services

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

Deaf, hard of hearing, and language access

Open / handout

People have a right to free interpreters for services that get federal funds.

County next steps

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

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 local agency about accessible communication, relay options, and qualified interpreters.
NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has regional centers.
Ask agencies for a free interpreter. Don't have kids interpret.

Official sources

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

Immigrants and benefits

Open / handout

Rules depend on immigration status, and they change often. Check official sources.

County next steps

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

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

Many lawfully present immigrants can use the ACA Marketplace.
Emergency Medicaid may cover an emergency medical condition for people who meet the other eligibility requirements but not eligible immigration-status rules. Ask county DSS to assess eligibility.
Ask county DSS about the adult applicant’s eligibility and how household members affect the application.
Using most benefits doesn't count against people in public charge decisions. Check USCIS for current rules.
Community health centers serve everyone.

Official sources

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

LGBTQ+ supports

Open / handout

Affirming support.

County next steps

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

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

LGBTQ+ adults can call or text 988 for crisis support and ask local providers about affirming adult care.
SAMHSA has LGBTQ+ behavioral health resources.

Official sources

SAMHSA: LGBTQI+ resources

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