Food Stamp Unit

The Warren County Department of Social Services Food Stamp Program is designed to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well being of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. County Departments of Social Services have direct responsibility for:

  • Determining the eligibility of applicants for the program;
  • Periodically reviewing such eligibility determinations;
  • Authorizing food stamp benefits to those certified as eligible;
  • Providing recipient training in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT);
  • And providing every applicant and participating household an opportunity for a fair hearing in accordance with policy.

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

  • This program is for households in a heating or cooling-related emergency who have income equal to or less than 150% of the poverty level.
  • Eligible households can get up to $300 in assistance during the state fiscal year (July through June) to help with fuel costs and electric bills.
  • Benefits must be authorized within 18 hours to households experiencing a life-threatening crisis and within 48 hours if the crisis is considered non life-threatening.

Carolina Power & Light Project Share (Project Share)

  • Project Share is funded 100% from monies contributed by CP&L and North Carolina Natural Gas (NCNG) customers and employees and from corporate donations. Allocations are made only to counties that have CP&L And NCNG residential customers.
  • This program is for households in a heating or cooling-related emergency who have income at or below 150% of the poverty level.
  • Benefits cannot exceed $300 per application and $600 per year
  • Funds remaining after heating season (November 1 through May 31) may be used for cooling needs. Households may receive $300 in cooling assistance if they have not received the $600 maximum benefit prior to the cooling season. Cooling season is defined as June 1 through October 31.
  • CP&L funds can be used in lieu of or in combination with CIP funds if the client is a CP&L customer.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

  • This program pays a check once a year to eligible low-income households to help with their heating bills.
  • Many families getting food stamps receive this check automatically, without a separate application.
  • Applications are taken once a year in the Fall.
  • Eligible households receive their checks in February.

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (FEMA)

  • The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies.
  • These funds are used for emergency sheltering, rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts.
  • DSS must provide services, maintain records, and submit reports in accordance with guidelines set forth in FEMA manual.