Benefits Access

NC Benefits Navigator Program

As a member of the North Carolina Navigator Consortium, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy’s NC Benefits Navigator Program provides free, unbiased advice to residents of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties and provides free, trusted assistance to help individuals and families access essential health coverage, food assistance, and other vital resources. Our trained navigators are here to guide you every step of the way—at no cost to you.

What We Can Help You With

Health Coverage (Marketplace & Medicaid)

  • Apply and enroll in Marketplace health coverage
  • Report on changes to your Marketplace plan
  • Appeal Marketplace decisions
  • Understand Marketplace tax forms
  • Get help with billing or claims questions
  • Assistance with Marketplace fraud concerns (agents or brokers)
  • Determine Medicaid eligibility
  • Complete a Medicaid application
  • Complete Medicaid renewal forms
  • Appeal a Medicaid denial

Food & Nutrition Assistance

  • Determine Food Stamps eligibility
  • Complete a Food Stamp (FNS) application
  • Complete Food Stamp recertification forms
  • Appeal a Food Stamp denial or termination
  • Referrals to local food banks
  • Referral to WIC (for pregnant individuals and children under age 5)

Additional Benefits & Support

  • Apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
  • Apply for the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), which helps with electric bills, heating/cooling equipment repair, fuel oil, natural gas, propane, and kerosene.
  • NC Benefits screening and referrals
  • Referrals to low-cost programs (including dental and vision care)
  • Medication assistance program referrals
  • SHIIP counselor referrals (for those transitioning to Medicare or newly eligible)

Schedule Your FREE Appointment

Need help? Our team is ready to assist you.

  • Call 980-256-3782
  • Visit ncnavigator.org

Schedule your FREE phone appointment today and get the support you deserve.

Why Choose Us?

  • ✔ Free and confidential services
  • ✔ Trusted, unbiased assistance
  • ✔ Bilingual support available
  • ✔ Serving the Charlotte community and beyond

During 2024, the Health Insurance Navigators:

  • Completed 1,704 appointments, enrolling 487 individuals in Medicaid or Marketplace plans 
  • Provided post-enrollment assistance to 213 consumers 
  • Served diverse communities with support in English, Spanish, ASL and other languages 

Additional Resources

Apply for benefits and services online: https://epass.nc.gov

Public Charge: What Families Need to Know

Immigrant Access to Health Insurance & Nutrition Programs
Inmigrantes: Seguro de Salud y Programas de Alimentacion

CLASP Presentation: Immigrant Access to Health Care in N.C.

Health Insurance Options for Immigrant Families
Seguro Medico para Familias Inmigrantes

North Carolina Health Insurance Eligibility for Immigrants (Sept. 2025)

Programa de Navegadores de Beneficios de Carolina del Norte 

Como miembros del Consorcio de Navegadores de Carolina del Norte, los Navegadores de Beneficios de NC del Centro de Apoyo Legal de Charlotte brindan asesoramiento gratuito e imparcial a los residentes de los condados de Cabarrus, Mecklenburg y Union. Ofreciendo asistencia gratuita y confiable para ayudar a individuos y familias a acceder a la cobertura médica, a la asistencia alimentaria y a otros recursos esenciales. Nuestros navegadores capacitados están aquí para guiarle en cada paso—sin costo alguno. 

En Qué Podemos Ayudarle 

Cobertura de Salud (Marketplace y Medicaid) 

  • Solicitar e inscribirse en cobertura de salud del Marketplace 
  • Reportar cambios en su plan del Marketplace 
  • Apelar decisiones del Marketplace 
  • Entender formularios de impuestos del Mercado de Seguros 
  • Obtener ayuda con facturación o reclamaciones 
  • Asistencia con fraude en el Mercado de Salud (agentes o corredores de seguros) 
  • Completar una solicitud de Medicaid 
  • Completar formularios de renovación de Medicaid 
  • Apelar una negación de Medicaid 
  • Determinar elegibilidad para Medicaid 

Asistencia de Alimentos y Nutrición 

  • Completar una solicitud de Estampillas de Comida (FNS) 
  • Completar formularios de recertificación de FNS 
  • Apelar una negación o terminación de FNS 
  • Referencias a bancos de alimentos locales 
  • Referencia a WIC (para personas embarazadas y niños menores de 5 años) 

Beneficios y Apoyo Adicional 

  • Completar una solicitud para el Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Personas de Bajos Ingresos (LIEAP) 
  • Completar una solicitud para el Programa de Intervención en Crisis (CIP), que ayuda con facturas eléctricas, la reparación de equipos de calefacción y refrigeración, y con combustible, gas natural, propano y queroseno. 
  • Evaluación y referencias de beneficios en Carolina del Norte 
  • Referencias a programas de bajo costo (incluyendo dental y visión) 
  • Referencias a programas de asistencia para medicamentos 
  • Referencias a consejeros SHIIP (para quienes están en transición a Medicare o recientemente elegibles) 

Llame para hacer su cita GRATIS 

¿Necesita ayuda? Nuestro equipo está listo para asistirle. 

  • Llame: 980-256-3782 
  • Visite: ncnavigator.org 

Programe su cita telefónica GRATIS hoy mismo y obtenga el apoyo que merece. 

¿Por Qué Elegirnos? 

  • ✔ Servicios gratuitos y confidenciales 
  • ✔ Asistencia confiable e imparcial 
  • ✔ Atención bilingüe disponible 
  • ✔ Sirviendo a la comunidad de Charlotte y más allá 

Latest News, Stories and Updates:

  • A $1,000,000 Outcome for Jerry
    When Jerry’s* mother passed away in April 2025, he and his brother were grieving her loss while also trying to manage the many responsibilities that come with the passing of a loved one. A few months later, Jerry received a letter that left him stunned. NC Medicaid informed him that because his mother had received… Read more: A $1,000,000 Outcome for Jerry
  • “This was a lifesaver for my son”
    For more than a decade, Medicaid has been a lifeline for John. After being diagnosed with hypermobility, he endured years of intense joint pain while working with his doctors to find a medication that could ease his suffering without causing harmful psychological side effects. When he finally found a drug that worked, it transformed his… Read more: “This was a lifesaver for my son”
  • Client Testimonial
    “I had a frustrating experience recently where the insurance marketplace thought I was Medicaid eligible despite that not being the case.  I made numerous calls and spent hours on the phone trying to resolve this to no avail. The process to undo this was maddening. I was referred to your agency, and luckily was assigned… Read more: Client Testimonial
  • SNAP Benefits Update
    Note: At the time of posting this (Thursday, Nov. 6), it is believed that SNAP beneficiaries, nearly 1.4 million North Carolinians, will receive a reduction in benefits for November that may vary depending on the amount usually received. The timing for the partial benefits to be loaded on EBT cards remains uncertain, but payments may… Read more: SNAP Benefits Update
  • Periodo de inscripción abierta. Preguntas frecuentes.
    ¿Cuándo es el Período de Inscripción Abierta para el Mercado de Seguros Médicos? El Período de Inscripción Abierta para el Mercado de Seguros Médicos (Healthcare.gov) es del 1 de noviembre de 2025 al 15 de enero de 2026. ¿Todavía hay una multa por no tener seguro médico? Desde el 1 de enero de 2019, ya… Read more: Periodo de inscripción abierta. Preguntas frecuentes.