Special Assistance

Special Assistance for Adults is a state/county Supplemental Security Income (SSI) supplement that pays cash benefits to eligible recipients who reside in licensed facilities authorized to receive Special Assistance (SA) payments. To be eligible for Special Assistance, an individual must be eligible for SSI, or ineligible for SSI solely due to income. Applicants for SA must apply for all other benefits to which he/she may potentially be entitled. Special Assistance and Adult Care Home recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid coverage. Applicants must be age 18 or older and must meet the state residency requirements.

Special Assistance In-Home Program provides an alternative to placement in an Adult Care Home for individuals who desire and are able to live at home safely with additional supportive services. Individuals who wish to receive an SA In-Home payment must meet with an Adult Services Social Worker for an assessment, meet the criteria for the supportive services (including providing an FL-2 from a physician indicating the need for an Adult Care Home, have income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, and be eligible for Medicaid). Each county has a limited number of In-Home slots available to serve residents of the county. Once those slots are filled, you may be placed on a waiting list.

To Apply

You may come into the Department of Social Services at 1813 E Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28146 to make a request for these services. If you are unable to come in, you may have a representative, a Power of Attorney, or a legal guardian requests these services on your behalf. You may call the local Department of Social Services at 704-216-8330 for additional information. For more information on services for adults, go to the North Carolina Division of Aging website.