RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC Navigator Consortium has expanded its services with the launch of Benefits Navigation, a new program designed to help North Carolina residents access a broader range of public assistance programs, including food and utility aid, alongside its longstanding health insurance enrollment support.
The expansion marks a significant development for the organization, which has been helping residents enroll in health coverage since 2014. Through the new Benefits Navigation initiative, North Carolinians can now receive assistance with multiple public benefits during a single appointment, simplifying what can often be a complex process for individuals and families seeking support.
For more than a decade, the NC Navigator Consortium’s Health Insurance Navigators have worked with residents to enroll in health coverage through HealthCare.gov and NC Medicaid. During those interactions, Navigators frequently discovered that applicants were also eligible for other public assistance programs but often needed help navigating additional enrollment processes.
Historically, consumers were referred to partner organizations for assistance with those programs. While many appreciated the referrals, the Consortium found that a significant number never completed the enrollment process for benefits they qualified to receive. Those challenges led the organization to broaden its services and create a more comprehensive approach to public benefits assistance.
The Benefits Navigation program aims to address those gaps by providing residents with a single point of contact for a range of assistance programs. The service is particularly focused on helping individuals with unpredictable incomes, those facing financial hardship, and residents living in rural or underserved communities.
“Whether folks are reaching out to a Navigator for the first or fifth time, they can still expect the same friendly, knowledgeable guide they have come to trust,” said Hollis Smith, deputy director of the NC Navigator Consortium. “The only change is that now we can do more to help our clients access food stamps, help with utility bills and other public benefits they may qualify for.”
The new initiative reflects a growing recognition that access to healthcare is often closely connected to other economic and social needs. By integrating support for multiple assistance programs, the Consortium hopes to make it easier for residents to secure resources that can improve financial stability and overall well-being.
Under the expanded program, Navigators now assist consumers with health coverage enrollment through HealthCare.gov and NC Medicaid while also helping eligible residents explore food assistance options through SNAP, formally known as Food and Nutrition Services, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
In addition, the program provides guidance on energy assistance programs designed to help households manage utility expenses. These include the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), both of which provide support to qualifying residents facing challenges with heating, cooling, and other utility costs.
Officials say the expanded service remains free and unbiased, continuing the organization’s mission of helping residents understand their options and navigate often-complicated application procedures. Navigators work directly with consumers to review eligibility requirements, explain available programs, and assist with enrollment steps.
The Consortium believes the one-stop-shop approach will improve access to public benefits by reducing barriers that often prevent eligible individuals from completing applications. Instead of seeking assistance from multiple organizations, residents can now receive guidance for several programs through a single appointment with a trained Navigator.
The launch comes at a time when many households continue to face economic pressures, including fluctuating incomes and rising living costs. Access to coordinated benefits assistance may help ensure that more residents receive support for which they are eligible, particularly in communities where resources can be difficult to access.
Residents seeking assistance can contact the statewide NC Navigator service to schedule an appointment. During those sessions, Navigators help consumers evaluate their eligibility and identify available programs that may provide support based on their individual circumstances.
With the introduction of Benefits Navigation, the NC Navigator Consortium is expanding its role beyond health insurance enrollment to provide broader public benefits assistance. The organization hopes the enhanced service will help more North Carolinians access critical resources and reduce the challenges often associated with navigating multiple public assistance programs.
