A major change in the delivery of food and nutrition services, also known as the food stamps program, is about to occur.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division has invested in a new automated service delivery system, NC FAST – North Carolina Families Accessing Services Through Technology.
Today, the Rowan County Department of Social Services will start using the new system for new applications.
The department will continue to use the old system for cases due for re-certification during the month of September and most of October. At the end of October, all food and nutrition services activity, including re-certifications and changes, will be done in NC FAST.
The system’s new features will eventually make accessing food and nutrition services easier and more convenient for customers, wrote Social Services Director Donna Fayko in a press release.
For about the next four months, though, the wait time for new food and nutrition services applicants will be longer than the typical 30 days as case workers learn how to work effectively in the new system.
“It is important to note that there will be delays in delivery of services to individuals and to families while DSS transitions to the new system,” Fayko wrote. “Every effort will be made to keep applicants and recipients informed about their applications or their re-certifications as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The new system requires more information to be entered than the old system and will take workers longer to complete each case. DSS staff also must convert over 12,000 cases from the old system to the new system.
Several minor changes, including changing an address and requesting a replacement Medicaid or EBT card, can be made during this transition without having to contact a caseworker. For these changes, call the technical support team at 704-216-8330.
What can you do to help make this transition smoother?
Applications
If you are unable to come to DSS and wait to make an application in person, other options include:
• Request that DSS send you an application to complete and return to DSS by mail
• Access the FNS application using the following internet access www.epass.nc.gov, complete the application online, print it, sign it and submit to DSS.
• Applications for FNS benefits may be mailed or faxed to DSS or may be dropped off at DSS using their internal or external drop boxes.
• You may come into DSS and see a worker who will take you through the application process.
Recertifications or changes
• If you are due for a review, please complete those forms as quickly as possible.
• Answer all the questions on the recertification form.
• Make sure that you sign and date the form before returning it to DSS.
• Return the information needed along with the review form by the due date shown on the review form.
• Report changes as soon as they occur