Home Support and Resources

Community Resources

Medication, Transportation, and Food Assistance

Duke is committed to helping our patients access the resources they need. There are a number of community resources available for patients and their families as they seek care. This list includes information on obtaining food, transportation assistance so you can get to your doctor appointments, financial assistance for obtaining medications, and other resources.

General Resources

  • United Way NC 211 (has links to a variety of resources: food pantries, transportation, utility assistance, shelters)
  • DSS phone numbers for all NC counties (information on food stamps, access transportation van, applying to Medicaid, adult protective services, child protective services)
  • Duke's Benefits Enrollment Center (assists Medicare beneficiaries with access to healthy food, needed medical care, prescriptions, Medicaid, heating assistance as well as other supportive services)

Behavioral and Psychiatric Resources

Medication Assistance Resources

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)/Domestic Violence (DV)

Transportation Resources

Food Resources

General

Government-Sponsored Food Assistance Programs

  • WIC (Women, Infants, Children) - For infants and children under five years old, pregnant women, and mothers of infants, including breastfeeding support and farmer's market coupons.
  • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) - Helps households buy food from local stores.
    • To apply, go to your local DSS office or print application form online (https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do). You will need to mail, fax, or bring the application to your local DSS office. You must sign and date pages 1 and 8. You can walk into the office to apply Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm.
    • If you go into the office, it will be helpful to bring: 
      • Identification & Social Security cards for all persons applying
      • Rent/Mortgage lease or receipts, utility bills, all check stubs for the previous two months (if working)
      • Receipts for paid child support, canceled checks or receipts for child/adult care expenses
      • Medical bills (if elderly or disabled)
    • There will be an interview after the application is reviewed. 

School-Based Food Programs for Children

  • Free or reduced-price school and daycare lunches and breakfast - 66% of children in Durham qualify based on family income. Check with your school or daycare. 
  • Backpack Buddies - Provides children with weekend meals during the school year. The children receive a backpack containing six nutritious and balanced meals at the end of every week. You do not need to qualify. To find out if your child's school is on the list, contact Amber@FoodShuttle.org or call 919-390-1957.
  • Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Nutritious free meals are available for children 18 and younger at many locations throughout the summer while school is out of session. Use the mapping tool on this website to find a site near you.
  • East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI) - Focuses its efforts on a 120-block area east of downtown Durham surrounding Y.E. Smith Elementary School. Offers a multitude of services for ALL ages (do not need to attend Y.E. Smith) including mobile farmers' markets and summer lunches. Call 919-250-0043 or visit http://edci.org/ for more information.

Special Durham and Wake County Resources