Economic Services

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Under the Food Stamp Act and USDA policy, discrimination is prohibited also on the basis of religion or political beliefs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact USDA or HHS Write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TTY). Write HHS, Director, Office for Civil Rights, Room 506-F, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201 or call 202-619-0403 (voice) or 202-619-3257 (TTY). USDA and HHS are equal opportunity providers and employers .”

Adult Medicaid

Staff determine eligibility for medical assistance for the aged, blind, and disabled adult population. These services also include eligibility for assistance with long-term care or nursing home care costs and special assistance for adults or rest home care costs.

Eligibility requirements: Applicant must be a resident of Cherokee County, age 21 or older, and meet the specific program requirements for the type of assistance they are applying to receive. Applicants must provide social security card, income from previous month, bank account information, life insurance policy information, as well as other information required for the specific assistance that the applicant is applying to receive .

Medicaid to Families & Children

Assistance with obtaining and affording medical services. Staff determine eligibility for the Medicaid program based on income eligibility consistent with State policies and requirements .

Carolina Access

Coordination of Medicaid recipients and Medicaid providers to ensure services are available to meet the needs of both the recipient and the provider. These services help with reducing inappropriate medical costs; such as, but not limited to, excessive emergency room visits .

Child Care Services

Providing information regarding child care resources in Cherokee County to families, and coordinating services for children with child care centers. Also determines the families eligibility for subsidized child care assistance .

Crisis Program

Assistance for heating or cooling related emergency situation, to eligible families and adults; such as, assistance to low income individuals or families with purchasing wood, electricity, oil or gas for heating during freezing weather .

Food & Nutrition Program

Staff determine eligibility for Food and Nutrition services to assist low income families and individuals with the cost of purchasing food.

Eligibility requirements: Must be a Cherokee County resident, meet income guidelines, and provide number of household members. Applicants must provide verification of a prior months income, social security card, bank account information, rent/mortgage information, and utility costs .

LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program)

Only households containing an elderly person age 60 and above, or a disabled person receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) are eligible to potentially receive benefits from December 1st through December 31st, or until funds are exhausted. Disabled persons are defined as receiving SSI, SSA, or VA disability.

Any household can potentially receive benefits from January 1st through March 31st, or until funds are exhausted, if all eligibility requirements are met. If December 1st or January 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, resort to the first working day of the month. If March 31st falls on a weekend or holiday, resort to the last working day of the month .

North Carolina Health Choice for Children

This is not a Medicaid program, but a health insurance benefit for uninsured children under the age of 19, in families with an income below 200% of poverty, that are not eligible for the Medicaid program. The staff determines the eligibility for this program .

Program Integrity or Fraud Investigation

Investigator receives and investigates reports of families or individuals receiving welfare assistance fraudulently. Pursues recoupment of benefits given inappropriately to clients by repayment, legal actions, or any other legal means necessary .

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Monetary assistance given to eligible low income families with children, to assist them with providing the children with shelter, clothing, and basic living needs. Staff determines the eligibility for benefits while assisting the adults with locating employment as soon as possible .

Work First Employment Services

Provides services to TANF recipients to assist them with locating employment, maintaining employment, and gaining basic skills needed for employment. The goal is to quickly move TANF recipients from welfare to work.