NC FAST is LIVE in Wake County 

 
On Monday, October 1, 2012, Food & Nutrition Services staff began processing applications in NC FAST (North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology).  Food & Nutrition Services is scheduled to begin processing reviews and recertifications in NC FAST in the first quarter of 2013.   
 
The NC FAST Program is designed to improve the way NC DHHS and the 100 county departments of social services conduct business. NC FAST introduces new technological tools and business processes that will enable staff to spend less time performing administrative tasks and more time assisting families.

As staff learn how to work efficiently in NC FAST…
 

What Can Clients Expect?  

 
  • Increased wait times
  • Delay in service delivery
  • Difficulty in communicating directly with staff
 

What Can Partners Expect?

 

 

  • Increased need for community resources, particularly:
    • Food
    • Internet Access

 

 

Clients can currently apply for Food Stamps online via the NC ePASS (Electronic Pre-Assessment Screening Service) website.  

ePASS is a secure Internet-based tool, will enable individuals or families to screen for their possible eligibility from any Internet-connected computer.  Currently, screening is available for Food Nutrition Services and Medicaid programs.  

If you are an existing or prospective client and would like to learn more about the NC ePASS, please review the NC ePASS information provided under our Special Initiatives section of our website.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Click on a question to learn more:

 

How is Wake County Human Services (WCHS) preparing for NC FAST?

How will the implementation of NC FAST affect clients?

When will other Wake County Human Services (WCHS) programs use NC FAST?

Who can I contact for more information?


 

Q:​ How is Wake County Human Services (WCHS) preparing for NC FAST?​
​A: ​WCHS developed a communication plan to assist the community with understanding the impact NC FAST will have on services.  Please bookmark this page and return for more information and details!

WCHS has been busy hosting information sessions with community partners, WCHS staff, and other Wake County departments that also serve our clients.

WCHS is coordinating a food drive to increase the amount of food that is available to clients who might need additional resources during this time.

WCHS has been allocating staff across the agency to handle the increase in phone calls, to process the new applications, and to transition existing cases to NC FAST.
  
Q:​
​A: ​NC FAST should make applying for services easier, faster and more efficient.  Clients will be able to access the information and applications they need over the Internet.

Since NC FAST will eventually be implemented across many programs, clients can expect a more consistent process that issues benefits.

Once everything is in place, clients should have the ability to apply for benefits at any location with Internet access.

 

 

Q: When will other Wake County Human Services (WCHS) programs use NC FAST?
A:​ ​Medicaid and Work First programs are scheduled to be using NC FAST sometime in 2013.  To learn more about when other programs will be using NC FAST, please visit the NC Department of Health Human Services website for details regarding the NC FAST rollout schedule.

 

 

Q:​ Who can I contact for more information?​
A:​​ ​For answers to your questions, please contact:

Sharon Gardei, NC FAST County Champion
Sharon.Gardei@wakegov.com