Health Care Access
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy seeks to ensure that low-income children, seniors, people living with disabilities, immigrants and their families have fair access to vital health care and public services.
Our services focus on:
- Accessing quality health care for children and their parents in low- and moderate-income families through Medicaid and implementation of health reform
- Improving health care and income support for seniors and people living with disabilities, with a focus on issues involving Social Security, SSI, Medicaid and Medicare, and on improving mental health and developmental disability services, access to in-home services, care in nursing and rest homes, access to community-based care, and managed care
Case work
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Quality nursing and rest home care
- Veterans benefits
- Mental health services
- Health care access and health insurance
- Home and community services
- Developmental disability services
- Food security
Systemic advocacy and community outreach
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy represents individuals and families who contact us for assistance. We utilize systemic advocacy strategies to change the rules, procedures and practices of federal and state agencies to ensure access to health care and public services for all people. We maintain a strong collaborative relationship with local and state agencies.
Technical assistance
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy assists legal services firms and other advocates throughout the state. We provide ongoing training, individual assistance and
Eligibility
Our health care program focuses on the representation of Mecklenburg County residents who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty standard, but we also accept residents in Union and Cabarrus Counties in the priority areas above – to the extent resources permit and Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is the most appropriate legal representative.
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
During 2024, the Medicaid Ombudsman Program (through our partnership with Legal Aid of North Carolina, Pisgah Legal Services, and the State of North Carolina):
- Handled over 22,700 calls, opening 19,073 cases with a 95% resolution rate
- Made 1,523 legal referrals and 25,318 referrals for other services
- Addressed 7,411 issue resolution cases and 11,662 information and education cases
During 2024, the Public Benefits legal team:
- Assisted 721 households consisting of 1,341 people (including 395 children)
- Obtained $14,404,000 in monetary benefits for clients through food stamps, SSA benefits Medicaid access, Medicaid services, etc.
Get Help
Call 704-376-1600
(select option 2, public benefits)
or
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
Latest News, Stories and Updates:
- “Not only did I regain my child care assistance, but I also regained hope” : Advocacy Center Client Resolves Fraud ChargesTad sought legal assistance from the Public Benefits Unit regarding a fraud investigation related to the Department of Social Services’ Subsidized Child Care program. As a result of the investigation, she faced a criminal sanction, a $1,000 fine, and owed a child care balance of $57,000. Advocacy Center Paralegal Meeka Clark and Tad worked together… Read more: “Not only did I regain my child care assistance, but I also regained hope” : Advocacy Center Client Resolves Fraud Charges
- Medicaid in NC: What You Need to KnowVer información en Español Medicaid is a federal and state-funded health insurance program that provides full coverage for some vulnerable low-income North Carolinians. It improves access to healthcare and health outcomes for North Carolinians by increasing access to primary care providers, regular checkups, preventative care, and care for chronic conditions. There are many different types… Read more: Medicaid in NC: What You Need to Know
- U.S. Court Ruling Blocks Marketplace Access for DACA Recipients in Some States – No Impact in North CarolinaCharlotte, N.C. – A Dec. 9, 2024, federal court decision blocked access to the Health Insurance Marketplace® for DACA recipients living in states that challenged a Biden administration ruling earlier this year making them eligible; the Dec. 9 court decision does not apply to N.C. This means that DACA recipients and other lawfully present immigrants… Read more: U.S. Court Ruling Blocks Marketplace Access for DACA Recipients in Some States – No Impact in North Carolina
- HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment 2025 Kickoff Press Conference Highlights New Insurance Marketplace Ruling for Daca RecipientsCharlotte, N.C. – HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment 2025 kicked off today with a press conference in Charlotte hosted by Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (Advocacy Center) and the NC Navigator Consortium with experts who explained the final rule that allows DACA recipients and other immigrant groups to purchase health insurance through HealthCare.gov. The event also included… Read more: HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment 2025 Kickoff Press Conference Highlights New Insurance Marketplace Ruling for Daca Recipients
- Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment FAQWhen is Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace? Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) happens between November 1, 2024 and January 15, 2025. Is there still a penalty for not having health insurance? Effective January 1, 2019, there is no longer a penalty for not having health insurance. Which health insurance companies will… Read more: Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment FAQ