Free help lines in North Carolina
State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in North Carolina. Calling them is free.
ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.
In an emergency, call 911.
Read the North Carolina benefits guide
North Carolina agencies
Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs
NC Medicaid
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Phone 1-888-245-0179 NC Medicaid Contact Center; you can also apply at your county Department of Social Services
- TTY 711
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed state holidays
- Website medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/how-apply-nc-medicaid
- Online epass.nc.gov
Checked 2026-10-18 on medicaid.ncdhhs.gov
Food help (SNAP)
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Phone 1-800-662-7030 NCDHHS Customer Service Center
- TTY 711
- Website ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/apply-food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps
- Online epass.nc.gov
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdhhs.gov
Free Medicare counseling
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Phone 1-855-408-1212
- Website ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdoi.gov
Aging services and local help
Area Agencies on Aging
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging
- Phone 1-800-662-7030 NCDHHS Customer Service Center; find your local Area Agency on Aging with the AAA map on the partners page
- TTY 711
- Website ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/partners-and-stakeholders
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdhhs.gov
Help with energy bills
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Phone 1-800-662-7030 NCDHHS Customer Service Center; households with someone 60+ apply December 1-31; others January 1-March 31 or until funds run out
- TTY 711
- Website ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/low-income-energy-assistance
- Online epass.nc.gov
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdhhs.gov
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult Protective Services
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services
- Website ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/adult-services/adult-protective-services
- Online ncdhhs.gov/localDSS
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdhhs.gov
Nursing home and assisted living complaints
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging
- Phone 1-800-662-7030 NCDHHS Customer Service Center; regional ombudsmen work in the Area Agencies on Aging (find yours with the county lookup)
- TTY 711
- Website ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/long-term-care-ombudsman
- Online ncdhhs.gov/ombudsman-county-3/open
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdhhs.gov
Report Medicare fraud and billing errors
NC Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), part of SHIIP
North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Phone 1-855-408-1212 SHIIP helps prevent Medicare fraud through the NC Senior Medicare Patrol Program
- Website ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdoi.gov
Insurance questions and complaints
Consumer Services
North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Phone 1-855-408-1212 Toll-free consumer line (same number as SHIIP)
- Website ncdoi.gov
- Online ncdoi.gov/how-can-we-help-you
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ncdoi.gov
Scams and consumer complaints
Consumer Protection Division
North Carolina Department of Justice
- Phone 1-877-566-7226 877-5-NO-SCAM, in North Carolina; outside NC 919-716-6000; en espanol 919-716-0058
- Website ncdoj.gov
- Online ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/consumer-complaint
Checked 2026-10-18 on ncdoj.gov
National help lines
Social Security national line
Social Security Administration
Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.
- Phone 1-800-772-1213
- TTY 1-800-325-0778
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time; automated phone services 24 hours a day
- Languages Spanish and other-language pages at ssa.gov/es and ssa.gov/multilanguage
- Website ssa.gov
- Online Sign in to or create a my Social Security account (benefit letters, SSA-1099, direct deposit, address change, Statement)
Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.
Checked on www.ssa.gov
1-800-MEDICARE
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.
- Phone 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
- TTY 1-877-486-2048
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays); live chat same hours
- Languages Ask for an interpreter (medicare.gov/about-us/other-languages)
- Website medicare.gov
- Online Live chat with Medicare
This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.
Checked on www.medicare.gov
Medicare quality help line (QIO)
Acentra Health
Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.
- Phone 1-888-317-0751
- TTY 711
- Hours Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends and holidays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time)
- Website acentraqio.com
Checked on acentraqio.com
Eldercare Locator
U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)
Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.
- Phone 1-800-677-1116
- TTY 711
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern
- Languages Spanish-speaking specialist by phone; interpretation in 150 languages during business hours
- Website eldercare.acl.gov
- Email [email protected]
TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.
Checked on eldercare.acl.gov
National Elder Fraud Hotline
U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime
For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.
- Phone 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11)
- Hours Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern
- Website justice.gov/elderjustice/find-help-or-report-abuse
- Online Elder Justice locator for state and local resources
Checked on www.justice.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)
Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.
- Phone 988
- Text 988
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Languages Spanish: press 2 when calling; Spanish text and chat available; interpretation services offered
- Website 988lifeline.org
- Online Chat with a counselor online
Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.
Checked on 988lifeline.org
Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18