Benefits & Assistance

1. Veterans: File Your VA Claims — Free Help

• Cumberland County Veterans Services Office. 301 E. Russell Street, Fayetteville · 910-677-2970. Accredited officers file claims, appeals, and benefits applications at no cost.
• NC DMVA — 844-624-8387. State Department of Military & Veterans Affairs: accredited veteran service officers, 100% free.
• VA disability claims — 800-827-1000 or file online at va.gov.
• Lock your effective date: file an “Intent to File” before gathering documents — your back pay starts from that date, not the day the paperwork is finished.

2. The Pension Almost Nobody Claims — VA Aid & Attendance

This is the most under-claimed benefit in America for the people we serve. Wartime veterans — and surviving spouses — who need help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, meals) or who are housebound may qualify for a monthly pension on top of everything else:

• Veteran with a spouse: up to roughly $2,874/month
• Surviving spouse (widow/widower): up to roughly $1,558/month
• 2026 rates; the pension is tax-free and paid monthly.

How to claim: through the Cumberland County Veterans Services Office (910-677-2970) or NC DMVA (844-624-8387) — free. If anyone offers to file this for a fee, walk away.

3. Property Tax Relief — Seniors, Disabled Veterans & Widows

North Carolina quietly offers three property-tax programs that most homeowners never hear about:

• Elderly or Disabled Exclusion: removes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of your home’s value from taxation (age 65+ or totally disabled; 2026 income limit about $38,800).
• Disabled Veteran Exclusion: removes $45,000 of your home’s value from taxation — no income limit, and unremarried surviving spouses of disabled veterans qualify too.
• Circuit Breaker Deferment: caps taxes for lower-income long-time owners.

Deadline: June 1 every year. File form AV-9 with the Cumberland County Tax Administration Office, or get free help from the county Veterans Services Office.

4. Social Security Disability (SSI & SSDI)

• Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 800-772-1213, or at the local Fayetteville Social Security office.
• Denied? Appeal. Most claims are denied the first time and won on appeal — the NC hearing office is at 150 Rowan Street, Fayetteville. Legal Aid of NC (866-219-5262) may help for free.

5. Food, Cash & Health Coverage — One Application

• Apply online at ePASS.nc.gov — one application covers Food & Nutrition Services (food stamps), Medicaid, and Work First cash assistance.
• Or in person: Cumberland County DSS, 1225 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville · 910-323-1540.
• Note: work requirements and eligibility rules apply and can change — DSS can confirm what you qualify for today.

6. Free Tax Prep & the Earned Income Tax Credit

Working families earning under roughly $58,000–$69,000 (depending on household size) can get taxes prepared free — and the Earned Income Tax Credit alone can mean $2,000–$6,000+ back. About 1 in 5 eligible workers never claims it.

• VITA free tax preparation: IRS line 800-906-9887 to find the nearest free site, or irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.
• AARP Tax-Aide — free prep focused on seniors, no AARP membership required.

7. Medicare Savings & Prescription Help — Seniors

• Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium — $202.90/month in 2026, over $2,400 a year back in your pocket.
• “Extra Help” caps prescription costs at about $4.90 generic / $12.15 brand.
• Free, unbiased counseling: NC SHIIP — 1-855-408-1212 · ncdoi.gov. They will also check whether you qualify for both programs.

8. A Note From Oasis of Grace

Benefit amounts, income limits, and deadlines on this page reflect the most current published figures as of our last review and can change. This page lists third-party programs for the convenience of our community — Oasis of Grace does not determine eligibility and cannot guarantee outcomes. When in doubt, confirm with the agency directly.

Not sure what you qualify for? Call us. We’re glad to help you find the right door: (472) 300-2430 or hmoasisofgrace@yahoo.com.