Too many people are faced with difficult decisions every day — whether to pay for rent or food, for medicine or heat. Helping children and adults access services that support basic needs such as food, medical care, quality child care and jobs creates a stronger, safer and healthier community for us all.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services offers these programs and supportive services to our families:
• Work First offers employment-focused benefits for families seeking employment.
• Child care Subsidy helps working parents have access to quality child care for their infants and children.
• Food and Nutrition (EBT food benefits) offers food assistance to those who are eligible.
• Medicaid/NC Health Choice offers medical coverage for eligible children and adults. There are different options to apply for
food benefits and health insurance through Medicaid, NC Health Choice (SCHIP): Visit ePASS.nc.gov using the public portal; come to 40 Coxe Ave. in person for a paper application; or call 250-5500 for assistance.
• WIC Program offers supplemental healthy food and nutrition counseling for pregnant women and children up to 5 years old. Families eligible for EBT (food benefits) are also eligible for WIC and can be enrolled in both programs.
• Federal Health Insurance (Affordable Care Act): Deadline to enroll is March 31 without penalties. A federal insurance representative is ready to help and is located at the downtown HHS Office at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Energy Assistance helps ensure people have heating and cooling, including emergency assistance to ensure families can get what they need to be healthy and safe.
Learn more at buncombecounty.org/HHS or call 250-5500.
— Phillip Hardin is the director of economic services at Buncombe County Health and Human Services.
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