Understanding public benefits, legal documents, taxes, household expenses, and veterans’ programs can be challenging. The resources below provide information, counseling, application assistance, and referrals.

The Senior Advisory Committee does not provide financial, legal, tax, or benefits advice. Contact the organization directly to confirm eligibility, cost, availability, and application requirements.

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid of North Carolina

What it offers:
Free civil legal assistance to qualifying North Carolina residents. Legal Aid may handle matters involving:

• Housing and eviction
• Foreclosure
• Domestic violence
• Consumer debt and unfair practices
• Public benefits
• Healthcare access
• Elder abuse and exploitation
• Certain powers of attorney and advance-planning matters
• Other noncriminal legal problems

Legal Aid does not accept every type of case, and representation depends on eligibility, legal merit, priorities, and staff availability.

Who may qualify:
Eligibility generally depends on income, household circumstances, legal issue, and available resources. Certain projects may have different requirements for older adults, veterans, or survivors of abuse.

How to apply:
Apply online or call to complete an intake. Have relevant notices, contracts, court papers, dates, and contact information available.

Cost:
Legal Aid services are free for eligible clients. Court costs or other expenses may occasionally be separate.

Telephone: 866-219-5262

Website: Legal Aid of North Carolina

Information last verified: July 2026

Seek Legal Help Promptly

Contact an attorney immediately if you receive:

• Eviction or foreclosure papers
• A lawsuit or court summons
• A debt-collection lawsuit
• Notice that benefits will be reduced or terminated
• A demand to sign over property or financial authority
• A contract you do not understand
• Evidence of financial exploitation
• A deadline for an appeal

Do not ignore court papers. Legal deadlines may continue even while you are trying to find assistance.

Finding a Private Attorney

People who do not qualify for Legal Aid or need a service it does not provide may contact the North Carolina Bar Association’s lawyer-referral resources.

Before hiring an attorney, ask:

• Does the attorney regularly handle this type of matter?
• What services are included?
• Is the fee hourly, flat, or contingent?
• Will there be additional filing or administrative costs?
• Who will perform the work?
• Will the fee agreement be provided in writing?

Website: North Carolina Bar Association – Find Legal Help

Information last verified: July 2026

Tax Preparation Assistance

IRS VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly

What it offers:
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free basic tax-return preparation for qualifying taxpayers. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program focuses particularly on people age 60 and older and questions involving pensions and retirement.

Services are provided by IRS-certified volunteers. Not every site can prepare every type of return.

Who may qualify:
VITA generally serves people with qualifying income, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency. TCE focuses on older taxpayers. Current requirements and site capacity vary.

How to apply:
Use the IRS locator or call during filing season. Ask whether an appointment is required and whether the site can handle your type of return.

Cost:
Free.

VITA/TCE locator: 800-906-9887

Website: IRS Free Tax Preparation

Information last verified: July 2026

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

What it offers:
Free tax-return preparation with a focus on taxpayers age 50 and older who have low to moderate income. AARP membership is not required.

Who may qualify:
Availability depends on the complexity of the return, volunteer certifications, appointment capacity, and site policies.

How to apply:
Use the Tax-Aide locator during tax season or call for a nearby site. The locator is generally updated closer to the filing season.

Cost:
Free.

Telephone: 888-227-7669

Website: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Information last verified: July 2026

What to Bring for Tax Preparation

Ask the site for its complete checklist. Commonly requested items include:

• Photo identification
• Social Security or taxpayer-identification cards
• Prior-year tax return
• Social Security benefit statement
• W-2 and 1099 forms
• Pension and retirement-income statements
• Interest and dividend statements
• Health-insurance information
• Property-tax records
• Charitable-contribution records
• Bank routing information for direct deposit
• Identity Protection PIN, if issued by the IRS
• Both spouses, if filing jointly

The IRS does not initiate contact by telephone, email, or text to demand immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash.

Utility and Emergency Financial Assistance

Moore County Department of Social Services

What it offers:
Applications and eligibility determinations for public-benefit and emergency-assistance programs. Depending on current funding and circumstances, programs may include:

• Energy assistance
• Crisis assistance for heating or cooling emergencies
• Food and Nutrition Services
• Medicaid
• Work First or other family assistance
• Referrals to community resources

Some programs are seasonal, limited by funding, or available only during a qualifying crisis.

Who may qualify:
Requirements vary and may consider household income, resources, age, disability, household members, energy costs, and the nature of the emergency.

How to apply:
Contact Moore County Department of Social Services or apply through NC ePASS for programs available online. State clearly if utilities have been disconnected or if a household member faces a health or safety risk.

Cost:
No charge to apply.

Telephone: 910-947-2436

Website: NC ePASS

Information last verified: July 2026

NC 211

What it offers:
Free referrals to current local programs involving:

• Rent and mortgage assistance
• Utilities
• Food
• Emergency shelter
• Transportation
• Healthcare and prescriptions
• Legal assistance
• Disaster recovery
• Veterans’ resources

NC 211 provides referrals but does not approve or directly pay financial assistance.

Who may use it:
Anyone may call. Eligibility for referred programs varies.

How to obtain help:
Dial 211 and provide your ZIP code, the type of assistance needed, relevant deadlines, and whether service has already been disconnected.

Cost:
Free.

Telephone: Dial 211 or call 888-892-1162

Website: NC 211

Information last verified: July 2026

Utility Warning

Contact the utility company using the number on an official bill if someone threatens immediate disconnection.

Utilities do not require payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or a barcode sent through an unsolicited text. Do not call a telephone number supplied by a threatening caller.

Social Security and Disability Benefits

Social Security Administration

What it offers:

• Retirement benefits
• Survivor benefits
• Social Security Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Security Income
• Replacement Social Security cards
• Benefit-verification letters
• Medicare enrollment
• Medicare Part D Extra Help applications
• Updates to direct deposit and contact information

Who may qualify:
Requirements vary by program and may depend on work history, age, disability, income, resources, or family relationship.

How to apply:
Use the official Social Security website or call. An appointment is generally required for in-person service.

Cost:
There is no charge to apply for benefits or use Social Security’s official services.

Telephone: 800-772-1213

Website: Social Security Administration

Information last verified: July 2026

Social Security will not suspend your number or demand payment to avoid arrest. End suspicious calls and contact Social Security directly.

Benefits Screening

BenefitsCheckUp

What it offers:
An online screening tool from the National Council on Aging that helps older adults identify programs that may assist with:

• Healthcare
• Prescriptions
• Food
• Utilities
• Housing
• Transportation
• Taxes
• Other household expenses

The tool identifies possible programs but does not determine final eligibility.

Who may use it:
Older adults, caregivers, and families.

How to use it:
Enter general information about location, income, and needs. Apply separately through the agency administering each identified program.

Cost:
Free.

Website: BenefitsCheckUp

Information last verified: July 2026

Avoid unofficial benefits websites that charge an application fee or request bank information before explaining the program.

Consumer and Financial Protection

North Carolina Attorney General

What it offers:
Consumer education and complaint assistance involving:

• Scams and fraud
• Unfair business practices
• Home-repair disputes
• Telemarketing
• Identity theft
• Debt collection
• Price gouging
• Other consumer concerns

The Attorney General’s office does not serve as a private attorney for an individual dispute.

Who may file:
North Carolina consumers may submit complaints involving businesses or suspected unfair practices.

How to file:
Use the official complaint form or call. Preserve contracts, receipts, account statements, advertisements, emails, text messages, and other evidence.

Cost:
No cost to submit a complaint.

Telephone: 877-566-7226

Website: North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection

Information last verified: July 2026

For suspected theft, forgery, or immediate financial exploitation, also contact the financial institution and law enforcement. Reports involving a disabled adult may also be appropriate for Adult Protective Services.

Veterans’ Benefits and Services

Moore County Veterans Services

What it offers:
Assistance for veterans, surviving spouses, dependents, and caregivers seeking information about federal, state, and local veterans’ benefits.

Assistance may include:

• Disability compensation
• Veterans’ pension
• Survivor benefits
• Aid and Attendance information
• VA healthcare
• Burial and memorial benefits
• Education benefits
• Military records
• Benefit applications and claims
• Referrals to other veterans’ organizations

County veterans service officers can help explain benefits and prepare claims, but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs makes the final eligibility decision.

Who may qualify:
Veterans, dependents, survivors, and caregivers. Eligibility depends on service history, discharge status, disability, income, need, and the benefit requested.

How to apply:
Contact the County office for an appointment. Ask which records to bring. These may include:

• DD Form 214 or other discharge records
• Photo identification
• Social Security numbers
• Marriage and birth records
• Medical records
• VA correspondence
• Income and asset information
• Death certificate, when applying for survivor benefits
• Current direct-deposit information

Cost:
Accredited government veterans service officers do not charge to assist with benefit claims.

Telephone: 910-947-3257

Website: Contact Moore County Government for current Veterans Services information.

Information last verified: July 2026

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

What it offers:
Official information and applications for:

• Disability compensation
• Pension
• Survivor benefits
• VA healthcare
• Caregiver support
• Education and training
• Home loans
• Life insurance
• Burial benefits
• Claims and appeals

Who may qualify:
Eligibility depends on the benefit and the veteran’s service record, discharge status, health, disability, income, or family relationship.

How to apply:
Apply through VA.gov or obtain assistance from an accredited veterans service officer.

Cost:
There is no charge to apply directly to the VA.

VA main information line: 800-698-2411
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000
VA health-benefits hotline: 877-222-8387

Website: VA.gov

Information last verified: July 2026

Veterans Crisis and Housing Assistance

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1
• Veterans Crisis Text: Text 838255
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838
• Immediate danger: Call 911

These services are available to veterans in crisis and to people concerned about a veteran.

Avoid Benefits and Legal Scams

Be cautious if someone:

• Guarantees approval of a government benefit
• Demands payment before explaining the service
• Claims special access to Social Security, Medicare, or VA systems
• Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers
• Pressures you to sign immediately
• Asks for a password or one-time verification code
• Offers to move assets or change ownership without explaining the consequences
• Refuses to provide fees and services in writing
• Claims your Social Security number or benefits will be suspended unless you pay

Use an accredited veterans representative, licensed attorney, certified tax professional, SHIIP counselor, or official government office. Verify the person independently before sharing financial, tax, medical, military, Medicare, or Social Security information.

Programs, funding, eligibility requirements, filing-season locations, and service availability may change. Contact each organization directly to confirm current information. This directory provides general information and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.