New Hanover County, NC Senior Help Directory (2026)

Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in New Hanover County, NC. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.

Start here (works anywhere)

• 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988

Three local front doors: New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, 2222 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, 910-798-6400 | New Hanover County Social Services (Health and Human Services), 1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-798-3500 | Cape Fear Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, 1480 Harbour Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-395-4553. And 2-1-1, or 1-888-892-1162.

If you only make one call from this page, make it the Senior Resource Center. Unlike many counties, New Hanover runs its senior center itself, as a county department. The Senior Resource Center (people call it the SRC) handles senior lunches and Meals on Wheels, free rides to medical visits, SHIIP Medicare counseling, prescription cost help, caregiver respite grants, support groups, counseling for older adults, and a team of social workers who do home visits and help families plan. It is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Thursdays for some activities. For a question about a parent's situation, ask for the social worker on call at 910-798-6437.

The Senior Resource Center's three meal sites.

• Senior Resource Center (Ohana Café), 2222 South College Road, Wilmington 28403. Lunch is served at 11 a.m. and noon, Monday to Friday.
• Castle Hayne Community Church, 4544 Parmele Road, Castle Hayne 28429, for northern New Hanover. Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Katie B. Hines Senior Center, 308 Cape Fear Boulevard, Carolina Beach 28428, for southern New Hanover. Lunch at noon.

The SRC's own pages list slightly different hours and lunch times for the two satellite sites, so call 910-798-6400 before a first visit.

Social Services is the benefits office. Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, Special Assistance, adult day care funds, in-home aides, guardianship and Adult Protective Services all run out of 1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Main line 910-798-3500; option 4 reaches the economic services team for Medicaid and food benefits. You can also email applications and documents to DSSinfo@nhcgov.com.

Cape Fear Council of Governments is the regional layer. It is the Area Agency on Aging for Region O, covering Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties. It plans and funds aging services across the four counties, runs Project C.A.R.E. for families living with dementia and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for nursing home and assisted living residents, and is piloting a Caregiver Mentorship Program with UNCW.

Property tax relief (apply with the New Hanover County Tax Department, 910-798-7300)

The office. Senior and disability relief is handled by New Hanover County Tax Administration, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403, phone 910-798-7300, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The state's official list of county assessors gives the same address and phone. The county has an online "Email the Tax Department" form.

The three programs. All three are set by the state, filed on the state's Form AV-9, and applied for with the county Tax Department.

• Elderly or Disabled Exclusion. Takes the greater of $25,000 or 50 percent off the assessed value of your home and up to one acre of land. You must be a North Carolina resident, 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled on or before January 1, own and live in the home, and have income within the limit: $38,800 for 2026, $39,900 for 2027. Income means all money from every source except gifts and inheritances, and a married couple living together counts both spouses' income even if only one is on the deed. You apply once. The county says you do not refile each year, but you must file again if income, use or ownership changes, and it will periodically ask for updated income to keep the benefit. For disability, the county wants a certificate from a North Carolina licensed physician or a government agency (Form AV-9A); it says a Social Security disability letter alone is not accepted unless it meets the statute.
• Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment. Limits the tax to a percentage of income for owners who meet the exclusion rules and have owned and lived in the home five consecutive years as of January 1, with incomes up to $58,200 for 2026 or $59,850 for 2027. This is a deferral, not forgiveness. The county says interest accrues on deferred taxes as if they had been paid on time, the deferred taxes are a lien on your property, and on a disqualifying event, the last three years of deferred taxes plus interest become due and payable. Disqualifying events are the owner's death, transfer of the property, or the owner no longer living there (a pass to a co-owner or spouse is the exception). And unlike the exclusion, the Circuit Breaker needs a new application every year. Understand the lien before your parent signs, especially if the plan is to sell the house or leave it to family.
• Disabled Veteran Exclusion. Takes $45,000 off the appraised value of the home of an honorably discharged veteran with a 100 percent total and permanent service-connected disability (or who receives the VA's specially adapted housing benefit), or the veteran's unmarried surviving spouse. No age or income limit. It uses the AV-9 plus Form NCDVA-9. New Hanover County Veteran Services, 1650 Greenfield Street, 910-798-7611, helps with VA paperwork: walk-in hours Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays by appointment.

Each owner can use only one of the three programs.

Deadlines. The county asks for exclusion applications during the January listing period, January 1 to 31, but accepts them up to June 1. The Circuit Breaker's yearly application is also due by June 1. The state form says an application must be filed by June 1 to be timely; a late one needs a showing of good cause.

A nursing home stay does not end the exclusion. The county says a qualified owner keeps it through a temporary absence for health reasons or an extended stay in a rest home or nursing home, as long as the house sits empty or only a spouse or dependent lives there. If the home is sold or the owner dies between January 1 and July 1, the exclusion comes off that year's bill; after July 1, it comes off the next year's.

Values and rates. New Hanover County revalues every four years, twice as often as state law requires. The current values took effect January 1, 2025, and the next revaluation is scheduled for January 1, 2029. The county rate for 2026 is 30.20 cents per $100 of value. Towns add their own: Wilmington 33.15 cents plus a 5 cent downtown service district where it applies, Carolina Beach 17.12, Kure Beach 19.50 and Wrightsville Beach 5.31, and unincorporated areas pay a 7.25 cent fire district rate.

Paying this year's bill. 2026 bills were due September 1, 2026 and can be paid without penalty or interest through January 5, 2027. If a parent cannot pay in full, the Tax Department has a Property Tax Payment Agreement Request Form on its website, or call 910-798-7300.

Two protections worth ten minutes.

• The Register of Deeds runs a free Fraud Alert: if a document is recorded in your name, you get an email with a copy of the document at no cost. Sign up on the Register of Deeds website, or call 910-798-4530. The office is at 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington.
• The Register of Deeds also warns families not to overpay for a copy of a house deed. Copies come from the Register of Deeds itself, not from companies that mail offers.

Food

Meals on Wheels. The Senior Resource Center delivers home-delivered lunches Monday to Friday to New Hanover residents 60 and older who are homebound (unable to leave home unassisted), living alone and unable to have their meals met by family, friends or others, and unable to cook or shop because of ill health, no working stove or refrigerator, or a special diet. It starts with a telephone screening, then a social worker visits the home to enroll, and people are reassessed at least every six months. Call 910-798-6400. A separate local nonprofit, Meals on Wheels, Inc., works with the SRC to deliver weekend meals to eligible clients: 910-612-0676. The SRC does not publish waitlist status, so ask when you call.

Lunch at the senior centers. Meals are free for people 60 and older (contributions are encouraged); anyone under 60 pays $5. Registration is required but reservations are not: fill out the lunch registration form, or complete it in person on your first day at any of the three sites above. Lunches are first come, first served. There is also a drive-up lunch, Monday to Friday noon to 1 p.m., at the Senior Resource Center and at Castle Hayne Community Church.

Farmers markets and food boxes. With the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and Feast Down East, the SRC runs monthly farmers markets and a commodity food box program. Its nutritionist also offers free one-on-one counseling to any New Hanover senior: 910-798-6420.

Groceries and prescriptions delivered: the FAM pilot. New Hanover County's Food and Medication (FAM) Delivery Program is a two-year pilot for households in the county's eight food desert areas. Eligible residents get a free Instacart+ membership (no delivery fee on orders of $10 or more) and $120 a year in "Fresh Funds" for produce, and can order groceries and prescriptions to the door. Income must be under 300 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $47,880 a year for one person and $64,920 for two. You must show you live in one of the food desert areas; the county has an interactive map. People in assisted living or skilled nursing do not qualify, and participants still pay for their groceries and Instacart service fees. Apply online, or get help in person at Health and Human Services, 1650 Greenfield Street, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The regional food bank. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina's Wilmington branch, 1000 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, 910-251-1465, serves Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover and Pender counties. It runs a No-Cost Market on Greenfield: Monday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Friday 1 to 4 p.m., and the 2nd and 4th Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its "find food" page lists pantries by ZIP code.

Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP). Apply on ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone at 910-798-3500, option 4, by email at DSSinfo@nhcgov.com, by mail or fax, or in person at 1650 Greenfield Street. An interview is required for every application, by phone, video or in person.

Energy and utility help

Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP). A once-a-year payment sent straight to the heating company. The county and the state disagree on the age for the early window. New Hanover County's page says households with someone 65 or older, or a disabled person getting services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, can apply December 1 to 31. The state's page says 60 or older. If a parent is 60 to 64, apply in December anyway and ask. Everyone else applies January 1 to March 31 or until the money runs out. The county's table puts the general income limit at $1,695 a month for one person (130 percent of poverty) and $1,956 (150 percent) for households with someone 65 or older or disabled. Apply on ePASS, by phone at 910-798-3500, by mail or fax, or in person.

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP). For a heating or cooling emergency: no heat or cooling, or a disconnect notice, when a household member's health would be at risk. Income must be at or below 150 percent of poverty, and you need the utility statement showing what is owed. Apply on ePASS, by phone at 910-798-3500, option 4, or in person. The county says help with other financial crises may be available depending on funding; ask at the same number.

If the power bill says Duke Energy. Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund helps customers with a past-due balance, unpaid deposit or unpaid reconnection charge. Apply through the NCDHHS CARELINE at 800-662-7030, press 3, through Social Services, or at epass.nc.gov.

Help with any heating fuel. Piedmont Natural Gas's Share the Warmth fund is handed out through county social services in counties with Piedmont residential customers. State policy says a household does not have to heat with gas or be a Piedmont customer, income must be at or below 150 percent of poverty, and the benefit is capped at $200 per state fiscal year. Ask Social Services at 910-798-3500 whether money is available this season.

Medicare, Medicaid, prescriptions

Free Medicare counseling. North Carolina's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), run by the NC Department of Insurance, gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling. In New Hanover County it runs through the Senior Resource Center, by appointment: call 910-798-6442 or use the SRC's online SHIIP request form. For a quick Medicare question, the SRC has a separate Medicare information line, 910-620-6714, which is not for booking appointments. The SRC also holds a free "Getting Started with Medicare" class on the third Wednesday of every month at noon. The statewide SHIIP line is 1-855-408-1212. Call before any Medicare Advantage or Part D decision, especially during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Help paying Medicare costs and prescriptions. The Medicare Savings Programs can pay Medicare premiums, and Extra Help lowers Part D drug costs. Apply for the Medicare Savings Programs through Social Services at 910-798-3500, and for Extra Help through SHIIP or Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The SRC's prescription assistance specialist works one on one to find the lowest cost for costly medicines: 910-798-6422. NC MedAssist (1-866-331-1348) is a free mail-order pharmacy for uninsured North Carolinians with income up to 300 percent of poverty; it says it may help some Medicare patients on a case-by-case basis. We are not printing income limits for the Medicare programs; ask SHIIP to check them against your parent's numbers.

Medicaid, and a reason to apply before December 31. Apply on ePASS, by phone at 910-798-3500, option 4, by mail, fax or email, or in person at 1650 Greenfield Street. The NC Medicaid Contact Center is 888-245-0179. NC Medicaid says that for adults 65 and older and people with a disability, if you apply by December 31, 2026, Medicaid will cover approved costs for up to 3 months before you applied. Starting January 1, 2027, that look-back shrinks to 2 months. If a parent is heading toward a nursing home or already paying for care, that difference can be real money. The new work requirements and six-month renewals starting January 1, 2027 are aimed at adults 19 to 64, not people 65 and older.

Long-term care Medicaid. Social Services takes applications for nursing home Medicaid, CAP and PACE (Elderhaus) at the same number, 910-798-3500, option 4. Appointments are not required but are available.

Staying home on Medicaid: CAP/DA. The Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) is North Carolina's Medicaid waiver that brings in-home aide help, respite and case management so someone who would otherwise qualify for a nursing home can stay home. NC Medicaid's list of case management agencies for New Hanover County (dated May 2025) names Novant Health, NHRMC, 910-667-8303; Pender Adult Services, 910-259-9119; Primary Health Choice, 910-865-3500; RHA Management Services, Inc., 888-207-7828; and Walkers Home Care CAPDA, 252-432-6308. The list is more than a year old, so if a line does not answer, ask the Medicaid Contact Center.

Special Assistance In-Home. For an adult who fully qualifies for Medicaid and has an FL-2 saying they need care in an adult care home but wants to live at home, Special Assistance In-Home pays a monthly cash supplement and builds a care plan with in-home aides and supplies. It starts with a face-to-face assessment; call 910-798-3500, option 4.

Two things most families don't know about.

• Free dental care at 55. New Hanover County's Older Adult Dental Program, run with Access Dental Care, Inc., offers exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, some root canals, dentures and partials to county residents 55 and older with income under 300 percent of poverty. Having Medicare Advantage, employer dental coverage or Medicaid does not disqualify you. Apply online or pick up a paper application at the SRC or at 1650 Greenfield Street. Questions: 910-798-3774.
• Counseling for older adults. The SRC's two licensed counselors, both certified in older adult mental health, see people at the center, at home or by telehealth, for depression, anxiety, grief and family stress. They take Medicare, Medicaid and several private plans, with sliding scale fees. 910-798-6404. The SRC also gives out free incontinence products, in limited quantities, through a partnership with the Diaper Bank of North Carolina; call 910-798-6400 and ask for the social worker on coverage.

Home repair and safety

• WARM NC. Does free home repairs for owners in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties. You must own the home and have lived in it at least three years, with income at or below 50 percent of the county median (some funders allow up to 80 percent). Its funding includes the state's Urgent Repair Program. 910-399-7563.
• Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program. Critical repairs that affect health and safety, such as roofs, HVAC, kitchens, bathrooms and ramps, for owners in New Hanover, Pender and Duplin counties. The owner must have lived in the home at least five years, own no other residential property, be current on taxes and any mortgage, and contribute something toward the cost based on what the household can afford. The home must be in flood Zone X, and Habitat cannot currently work on homes in Wilmington's Historic District. If a parent inherited the house, Habitat asks for proof of who has an ownership interest. 910-762-4744, extension 100.
• City of Wilmington repair loans, inside city limits only. The city's Minor Housing Repair Forgivable Loan covers up to $10,000 for things like a roof, air conditioning or paint, with no payments and a deed of trust for three years. Its Major Housing Rehabilitation Forgivable Loan goes up to a $90,000 base at 0 percent interest, with no application fee and a free inspection, for owners who have lived in the home at least 12 months and meet income limits. Read the fine print on the major loan: the city says the outstanding balance is due on the borrower's death, after 20 years, or on sale or transfer, which matters if the house is meant for heirs. 910-341-7836. Addresses outside the city limits do not qualify; the city has an online lookup.
• Weatherization and heating repair. North Carolina's weatherization provider for New Hanover County is Coastal Community Action, based in Newport, 252-223-1630. Its Heating and Air Repair and Replacement Program (HARRP) fixes or replaces failing heating systems for households at or below 200 percent of poverty, with priority for the elderly and people with disabilities, and renters can qualify with the landlord's written permission. Have income proof, Social Security numbers, proof of ownership and 12 months of power and fuel bills ready.

The hurricane registry. If a parent is on oxygen, has a disability that would make evacuating hard, or has other special needs, sign them up for the county's Access and Functional Needs Registry through Emergency Management. A trained Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteer calls 36 to 72 hours before a hurricane to review their disaster plan and flags anyone who needs more help. The SRC will help you sign up: 910-798-6400.

Project Lifesaver. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office fits people who wander because of Alzheimer's, dementia, autism or a similar condition with a small radio transmitter bracelet, and trained deputies track it if they go missing. The application is on the Sheriff's page of the county website. Sheriff's Office main line 910-798-4200, 3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne.

Rent, housing, emergency cash

• Wilmington Housing Authority, 1524 South 16th Street, Wilmington, (910) 341-7700. Its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list is closed, and WHA says it cannot give a reopening date because so many people are already on the list. When it reopens, WHA announces it on its website and in local media.
• Social Services crisis help. Beyond energy, the county says help with other financial crises may be available depending on funding; call 910-798-3500.
• 2-1-1 knows which church funds and ministries have money this week.

Transportation

Senior Resource Center rides. The SRC gives non-emergency medical rides to New Hanover residents 60 and older who are not on Medicaid, to appointments inside New Hanover County, and coordinates rides to and from the SRC and monthly day trips. There is an application first, rides must be requested at least 7 days ahead, and there is no required fee; contributions are welcome. 910-798-6401.

Wave Transit buses. Wave's regular fare is $2, and it is $1 for riders 65 and older who show a red, white and blue Medicare card or a valid photo ID. People with disabilities also ride for half price with a Medicare card or a Wave Reduced Fare Card, and veterans ride half price with a free New Hanover County Veteran ID from the Register of Deeds. Reduced-fare multi-ride passes are half price too. Route 107 stops at the Senior Resource Center. Wave's main line is 910-343-0106.

DART, Wave's paratransit. Lift-equipped vans for people approved through an application that a healthcare professional helps complete; decisions come within 21 days. DART serves addresses within three quarters of a mile of a Wave bus route, during the same hours the buses run, and costs $4 each way. Book by the day before, at 910-202-2053. Drivers wait only three minutes, and Wave does not provide aides, though a personal care attendant rides free.

RideMICRO, for areas the buses miss. Wave's on-demand vans cover Zone 2, Northeast New Hanover; Zone 3, Southern New Hanover; and Zone 4, Northern New Hanover, and connect to the bus system. Anyone can ride, no application needed. Weekdays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fare is $2 with no senior discount. Book at 910-861-0661 or in the app, up to a week ahead.

Medicaid rides to appointments. Call Social Services at 910-798-3500, option 7. Give 3 days' notice for trips inside the county and 5 days for trips outside it, and out-of-county trips must be confirmed by a doctor as necessary.

Legal help

Senior Legal Helpline. Legal Aid of North Carolina's Senior Legal Helpline gives free civil legal help to North Carolinians 60 and older: 1-877-579-7562, Monday to Friday 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

Legal Aid, Wilmington office. 272 North Front Street, Suite 220, Wilmington, 910-763-6207, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., serves Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties. To apply for help, Legal Aid points people to its statewide helpline, 1-866-219-5262, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Protecting an older adult.

• New Hanover County Adult Protective Services: 910-798-3500 during business hours, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In an emergency, call 911. After hours, the APS page says to call 911 and ask for the social worker on duty, and the Social Services main page gives the county's non-emergency number, 910-452-6120. North Carolina law requires anyone who suspects an older adult is being abused or neglected to report it.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Cape Fear Council of Governments, for problems in a nursing home or assisted living: 910-444-8485 or 910-444-8198.
• Guardianship questions, New Hanover County Social Services: 910-798-3506.
• NC Attorney General Consumer Protection: 1-877-566-7226 (1-877-5-NO-SCAM).
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311.

Paperwork offices you will need. A power of attorney that will be used for real estate is recorded at the New Hanover County Register of Deeds, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, 910-798-4530, which also has a satellite office at 230 Government Center Drive. Wills and estates are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court at the New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, 910-772-6600. For a veteran's benefits, New Hanover County Veteran Services, 910-798-7611.

Caregiver support

• SRC caregiver respite grants. Grant funds give eligible caregivers a break from caregiving, and, if funding allows, help with supplements like Ensure or incontinence supplies. A social worker meets with you first. 910-798-6402.
• SRC support groups. A general caregiver support group meets the 4th Monday of each month, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at the SRC, for caregivers 18 and older caring for someone 60 or older (910-798-6402). A grief support group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (910-617-4162). Forget-Me-Knot, for people with memory loss and their caregivers, meets the 3rd Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Winter Park Baptist Church, 4700 Wrightsville Avenue; registration required at 910-274-0343.
• Cape Fear Council of Governments. Its Family Caregiver Specialist is at 910-274-0343. The program serves caregivers of any age caring for someone 60 or older, or for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
• Project C.A.R.E. Dementia-specific support and respite vouchers for families caring for someone with dementia at home, with no specific income limit (funds are limited, and low-income, rural and minority families get priority). 910-408-6365.
• Alzheimer's Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter. Wilmington and coastal area line 919-241-5960; 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900.
• Adult day care funds. New Hanover County Social Services manages state Adult Day Care funds. There are no income guidelines or co-pays, but there must be a financial need, and the county may pay for transportation to the program. Call 910-798-3506. Elderhaus, the PACE provider below, also runs Elderhaus at the Lake adult day services at 1950 Amphitheatre Drive, Wilmington, 910-251-0660.
• In-home aide. Social Services provides case management and in-home aides for light housekeeping, limited shopping and transportation for older and disabled adults: 910-798-3795.

PACE

New Hanover County has a PACE program, and its own list covers the whole county.

PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, takes over a person's whole care plan, doctors, a day center, therapy, personal care, prescriptions and transportation, so someone who needs a nursing home level of care can keep living at home. Elderhaus PACE, operated by EveryAge, runs its PACE center at 1380 North College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405: 910-343-8209, toll free 1-888-343-8209, TTY 1-800-735-2962.

Who qualifies. People 55 and older who are certified as meeting North Carolina's nursing facility level of care, can live safely at home with PACE's support, live in an approved ZIP code, and have a payment source (Medicaid, Medicare, private funds or private insurance). Elderhaus says that once someone is enrolled there are no deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance, and that people with Medicare only pay a set monthly fee.

Check the ZIP code. Elderhaus's own service area list includes every New Hanover County ZIP code: 28401, 28402, 28403, 28404, 28405, 28406, 28407, 28408, 28409, 28410, 28411, 28412, 28428, 28429, 28449 and 28480, plus four Brunswick ZIP codes.

One thing to know. NC Medicaid's official PACE list also names Elderhaus for New Hanover County, but it prints an older address (2222 South 17th Street) and a different phone (910-767-0932), and its ZIP code line shows only the Brunswick ZIP codes. Go by Elderhaus's current North College Road number, and ask Social Services about the Medicaid side at 910-798-3500, option 4.

Frequently asked questions

Mom is 70, lives in Ogden, and gets about $3,000 a month from Social Security and a small pension. Does she qualify for a tax break? Likely. About $3,000 a month is about $36,000 a year, under the $38,800 limit for 2026 and the $39,900 limit for 2027. The Elderly or Disabled Exclusion takes the greater of $25,000 or half her home's value off the bill. She applies once, ideally in January, and no later than June 1. Call the Tax Department at 910-798-7300.

Dad is in a nursing home for rehab and his house in Wilmington is empty. Does he lose his exclusion? Not for that reason. New Hanover County says the exclusion continues through a temporary absence for health, or an extended stay in a rest home or nursing home, as long as the house is empty or only a spouse or dependent lives there. If a relative moves in, or the house is sold, ask the Tax Department how that changes things.

Should my father use the Circuit Breaker instead? Go in with open eyes. It limits his tax to a percentage of income, but the rest is deferred, not forgiven. It is a lien, interest runs on it, and when he dies, the home is transferred, or he stops living there, the last three years of deferred taxes come due with interest. He must reapply every year and needs five years of ownership and occupancy first. If his income is under the exclusion limit, the exclusion is usually simpler, and each owner can use only one program. Ask the Tax Department to run both, and talk to the Senior Legal Helpline (1-877-579-7562) if the house is part of an estate plan.

Dad's savings are running out and he may need Medicaid for care. Does timing matter? It can. NC Medicaid says people 65 and older who apply by December 31, 2026 can get approved costs covered for up to 3 months before they applied; from January 1, 2027, the look-back is 2 months. Call Social Services at 910-798-3500, option 4, or apply on ePASS, and talk to the Senior Legal Helpline before moving any assets.

Mom lives alone in Carolina Beach and hurricane season scares me. What can I set up today? Three things. Put her on the county's Access and Functional Needs Registry so a volunteer calls 36 to 72 hours before a storm (the SRC helps at 910-798-6400). Sign her house up for the Register of Deeds Fraud Alert. And register her for lunch at the Katie B. Hines Senior Center in Carolina Beach, so she is known to the SRC's social workers before a storm, not after.

My mother has dementia and wandered last week. What should I do first? Call the Sheriff's Office (910-798-4200) about Project Lifesaver, call Project C.A.R.E. (910-408-6365) for dementia-specific help and respite vouchers, and ask the SRC about its caregiver respite grant (910-798-6402). If she needs a nursing home level of care, ask Elderhaus PACE (910-343-8209) whether she qualifies to stay home.

Sources

• North Carolina Department of Revenue, Form AV-9, 2026 Application for Property Tax Relief: source of the Elderly or Disabled Exclusion ("excludes the greater of the first $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of the permanent residence"), the 2026 limit $38,800, the Circuit Breaker limit $58,200, the $45,000 Disabled Veteran Exclusion, "This application must be filed by June 1st to be timely filed," and "YOU MUST FILE A NEW APPLICATION FOR THIS PROGRAM EVERY YEAR": https://www.ncdor.gov/2026-av-9-securedpdf/open . Verified September 24, 2026.
• North Carolina Department of Revenue, Form AV-9, 2027 Application: source of $39,900 and $59,850 for the 2027 tax year: https://www.ncdor.gov/2027-av-9-securedpdf/open . Verified September 24, 2026.
• North Carolina Department of Revenue, County Assessors List (revised July 20, 2026): source of "New Hanover 910-798-7300 ... 230 Government Center Dr., Ste. 190 Wilmington, NC 28403": https://www.ncdor.gov/assessors-list-7-20-26pdf/open . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Tax Department: source of 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403, 910-798-7300, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, the 2026 bills "due on September 1, 2026," payable "without any penalty or interest through January 5, 2027," and the Property Tax Payment Agreement Request Form: https://www.nhcgov.com/328/Tax-Department . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Tax Relief and Deferment: source of the exclusion rules (65 or disabled on or before January 1, one acre, income of both spouses, one-time application, filing during January 1 to 31 accepted up to June 1, periodic income verification, physician or agency certificate and the Social Security letter rule), the temporary absence and nursing home rule, the January 1 to July 1 sale or death rule, the Disabled Veteran Exclusion ($45,000, 100% permanent total disability or specially adapted housing, NCDVA-9, no age or income requirement, June 1), and the Circuit Breaker rules (five consecutive years, annual application by June 1, interest accrues, disqualifying events, "the last three (3) years of deferred taxes plus interest become due and payable. These deferred taxes are a lien on your property."): https://www.nhcgov.com/380/Tax-Relief-Deferment . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Real Property / Revaluation and Revaluation FAQs: source of the four-year cycle adopted in 2008, "The current revaluation has an effective date of January 1, 2025," and the schedule of values in effect "until the next revaluation scheduled for January 1, 2029": https://www.nhcgov.com/329/Real-Property-Revaluation and https://www.nhcgov.com/2718/Revaluation-FAQs . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Historic Tax Rates: source of the 2026 rates, New Hanover County .3020, Wilmington .3315, Municipal Service District .0500, Fire District .0725, Carolina Beach .1712, Kure Beach .1950, Wrightsville Beach .0531: https://www.nhcgov.com/1086/Historic-Tax-Rates . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Veteran Services: source of 1650 Greenfield St, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-798-7611, walk-in hours 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and Fridays by appointment only: https://www.nhcgov.com/2366/Veterans . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Register of Deeds: source of 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-798-4530, the satellite office at 230 Government Center Drive, the free Fraud Alert that emails "a copy of the document at no cost to you," and the "Don't Overpay for a Copy of Your House Deed" notice: https://www.nhcgov.com/384/Register-of-Deeds . Verified September 24, 2026.
• North Carolina Judicial Branch, New Hanover County contact directory and courthouse page: source of the Clerk of Superior Court at (910) 772-6600 and 316 Princess St, Wilmington: https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/new-hanover-county/contact-directory and https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/new-hanover-county/new-hanover-county-courthouse . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, home, About Us, Location and Hours, Services, Nutrition, Transportation, Medicare/SHIIP, Assistance, Life Enrichment Program and Access and Functional Needs Registry pages: source of 2222 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, 910-798-6400, hours including Thursdays until 7 PM, the Castle Hayne and Carolina Beach satellite sites with their addresses and the differing hours noted on this page, free lunch at 60 and $5 under 60, registration required and reservations not required, drive-up lunch noon to 1 PM, home-delivered meal eligibility, the telephone screening, home visit and six-month reassessment, Meals on Wheels, Inc. weekend meals at (910) 612-0676, the nutritionist at (910) 798-6420 and the farmers markets and commodity food boxes, medical transportation for residents 60 or older not receiving Medicaid, within the county, 7 days in advance, no mandatory cost, at (910) 798-6401, Wave Route 107, SHIIP appointments at (910) 798-6442, the Medicare information line (910) 620-6714, the monthly Getting Started with Medicare class, open enrollment October 15 to December 7, 2026, prescription assistance at (910) 798-6422, mental health counseling at (910) 798-6404 with insurance and sliding scale fees, free incontinence products through the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, the caregiver support grant at (910) 798-6402, the caregiver, grief and Forget-Me-Knot groups with their dates and places, the grief group line (910) 617-4162 and the Forget-Me-Knot line (910) 274-0343, the Older Adult Dental Program at (910) 798-3774 with its eligibility, the social worker on call at (910) 798-6437, and the registry volunteers calling 36 to 72 hours before a hurricane: https://www.nhcgov.com/1191/Senior-Resource-Center , https://www.nhcgov.com/1192/About-Us , https://www.nhcgov.com/2339/Location-Hours , https://www.nhcgov.com/518/Services , https://www.nhcgov.com/524/Nutrition , https://www.nhcgov.com/525/Transportation , https://www.nhcgov.com/523/Medicare , https://www.nhcgov.com/519/Assistance , https://www.nhcgov.com/521/Information-Support---Life-Enrichment-Pr , https://www.nhcgov.com/522/Access-Functional-Needs-Registry . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County Health and Human Services, Social Services, Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, Adult Medicaid/Medicaid Transportation, Adult Day Care, Guardianship, In-Home Aide Services, Special Assistance In-Home, Food and Nutrition/SNAP, LIHEAP and Crisis Intervention pages: source of 1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-798-3500, the hours (Tuesday until 6:00 pm), option 4, option 7 for Medicaid transportation with three days in county and five days out of county and physician verification, DSSinfo@nhcgov.com, long-term care Medicaid including CAP and PACE/Elderhaus, the Special Assistance In-Home eligibility list, APS reporting during business hours and after 5 pm ("call 911 and ask to speak to the social worker on duty") and the non-emergency number 910-452-6120, adult day care with "no income guidelines or co-pays" and transportation, 910-798-3506 for adult day care and guardianship, in-home aide services at 910-798-3795, the required SNAP interview, the county's LIEAP December 1 to 31 window for "a person aged 65 or older," the January 1 to March 31 window, the $1,695 and $1,956 monthly limits for one person, CIP at 150% of poverty, and help for "other financial crises based on current available funding": https://www.nhcgov.com/417/Social-Services , https://www.nhcgov.com/441/Adult-Services , https://www.nhcgov.com/1270/Adult-Protective-Services , https://www.nhcgov.com/1273/Adult-MedicaidMedicaid-Transportation , https://www.nhcgov.com/1272/Adult-Day-Care , https://www.nhcgov.com/1276/Guardianship , https://www.nhcgov.com/1277/In-Home-Aide-Services , https://www.nhcgov.com/1279/Special-Assistance-In-Home-Case-Manageme , https://www.nhcgov.com/440/Food-and-Nutrition-SNAP , https://www.nhcgov.com/2328/Low-Income-Home-Energy-Assistance-Progra , https://www.nhcgov.com/2327/Crisis-InterventionFamily-Support-Progra . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County, Food and Medication (FAM) Delivery Program: source of the two-year pilot, the eight food desert areas, the Instacart+ membership with waived delivery fees on orders of $10 or more, the $120 annual Fresh Funds, the 300% of poverty limit ($47,880 for one, $64,920 for two), the ineligible housing arrangements, and in-person help at 1650 Greenfield Street 9 am to 4 pm: https://www.nhcgov.com/2978/Food-and-Medication-FAM-Delivery-Program . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NCDHHS, Low Income Energy Assistance: source of the state's December 1 to 31 window for "Households including a person aged 60 or older": https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/low-income-energy-assistance . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Cape Fear Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support, Project C.A.R.E. and Ombudsman pages: source of Region O serving Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender, 1480 Harbour Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401, (910) 395-4553, the Caregiver Mentorship Program with UNCW, the Family Caregiver Specialist at 910-274-0343 and eligibility, Project C.A.R.E. respite vouchers with "no specific income limitations" and priority for low-income, rural and minority families at (910) 408-6365, and the ombudsmen at 910-444-8485 and 910-444-8198: https://capefearcog.gov/aging/ , https://capefearcog.gov/aging/caregiver-support/ , https://capefearcog.gov/aging/project-care/ , https://capefearcog.gov/aging/ombudsman/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC 211: source of "call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162": https://www.nc211.org/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Wilmington branch: source of the five-county service area including New Hanover, 1000 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, 910-251-1465, and the No-Cost Market on Greenfield hours: https://foodbankcenc.org/locations/wilmington . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Duke Energy, Share the Light Fund: source of "Must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge," the NC DHHS CARELINE at 800.662.7030, press 3, the county DSS office, and epass.nc.gov: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/share-the-light . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NCDHHS policy EP-520, Piedmont Natural Gas Share the Warmth: source of allocations "only to counties that have PNG residential customers," "Households do not have to heat with natural gas to be eligible," "A household does not have to be a PNG customer," 150% of poverty, and "$200 per application and $200 per State fiscal year": https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/EP-520-9.18.2024.pdf . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NCDOI, SHIIP contact page and county counselor locator: source of 1-855-408-1212 and the New Hanover site, "RSVP/NHC Senior Resource Center, 2222 S. College Road, Wilmington NC 28403, 910-798-6400," by appointment only: https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip/contact-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip and https://www.ncdoi.com/_Iframes/Search_For_a_Counselor_By_County_View.aspx . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC Medicaid, Medicaid is Changing in 2026-27, and Contact page: source of "If you apply by December 31, 2026, Medicaid will cover approved costs for up to 3 months before you applied," the 2-month rule from January 1, 2027 for adults 65 and older and people with a disability, the changes for ages 19 through 64 including six-month renewals, and 888-245-0179: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/medicaid-is-changing and https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/contact . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC Medicaid, CAP/DA case management agencies by county (May 5, 2025): source of the five New Hanover agencies, Novant Health - NHRMC 910-667-8303, Pender Adult Services 910-259-9119, Primary Health Choice 910-865-3500, RHA Management Services 888-207-7828 and Walkers Home Care CAPDA 252-432-6308: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/capda-case-management-agencies-county/open . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC MedAssist: source of 866-331-1348, income limits at 300% of poverty, and Medicare patients "on a case-by-case basis": https://medassist.org/free-pharmacy-program/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Elderhaus, home page and Eligibility page: source of Elderhaus PACE at 1380 North College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405, (910) 343-8209, toll free (888) 343-8209, TTY (1-800) 735-2962, Elderhaus at the Lake adult day services at 1950 Amphitheatre Drive, (910) 251-0660, EveryAge as operator, the eligibility list, the New Hanover County ZIP codes 28401 through 28412, 28428, 28429, 28449 and 28480, the Brunswick ZIP codes, and "there are no deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance": https://elderhaus.com/ and https://elderhaus.com/eligibility/ (read in a browser; the site blocks automated requests). Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC Medicaid, PACE service area list (published November 5, 2025): source of "Elderhaus ... Counties: New Hanover and Brunswick ... ZIP codes: 28422, 28451, 28461, 28479," 2222 South 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, and 910-767-0932: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/ncpace-service-area/download?attachment . Verified September 24, 2026.
• WARM NC, What We Do: source of the seven-county service area including New Hanover, "Repairs are completed at no cost to the homeowner," three years of ownership and occupancy, 50% of county median (some funders up to 80%), the Urgent Repair Program, and 910.399.7563: https://warmnc.org/what-we-do/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Repair: source of the Home Repair Program serving New Hanover, Pender and Duplin, five years in the home, no other residential property, taxes and mortgage current, a contribution toward cost, Zone X, the Historic District exclusion, the heirs documentation, and (910) 762-4744 ext. 100: https://capefearhabitat.org/repair/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• City of Wilmington, Housing Division and Owner Occupied Rehabilitation: source of the Minor Housing Repair Forgivable Loan up to $10,000 with a three-year deed of trust, the Major Housing Rehabilitation Forgivable Loan with a $90,000 base, 0% interest, 12 months of ownership and occupancy, "Outstanding loan balance due upon: borrower's death, after 20 years, or sale or transfer of property," the city limits requirement, and 910-341-7836: https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Services/Community-Building/Housing-Division/Owner-Occupied-Rehabilitation . Verified September 24, 2026.
• NC DEQ Weatherization Assistance Program state plan (Program Year 2027), and Coastal Community Action weatherization and HARRP pages: source of Coastal Community Action, 303 McQueen Avenue, Newport, serving New Hanover, (252) 223-1630, HARRP's 200% income limit, priority for the elderly and people with disabilities, renters with landlord permission, and the documents list: https://www.deq.nc.gov/nc-wap-annual-state-plan/open , https://coastalca.org/Weatherization-Assistance , https://coastalca.org/Heating-Air-Repair-Replacement-Program . Verified September 24, 2026.
• New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Project Lifesaver and main page: source of the program, the transmitter bracelet and trained search personnel, 3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, and 910-798-4200: https://www.nhcgov.com/2946/Project-Lifesaver-Information and https://www.nhcgov.com/795/Sheriffs-Office . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Wilmington Housing Authority, home and Housing Choice Voucher pages: source of 1524 S. 16th Street, (910) 341-7700, "at this time, the waiting list for Housing Choice Voucher Program is closed," and "we are unable to determine a reopening date at this time": https://www.wha.net/ and https://wha.net/housing-choice-voucher/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Wave Transit, Fare and Pass Information, Dial-A-Ride Transportation and RideMICRO: source of the $2 and $1 fares, reduced fare for customers 65 or older with a red, white and blue Medicare card or valid photo ID, the NHC Veteran ID from the Register of Deeds, DART at $4, the three-quarter-mile rule, next-day booking, the application and 21-day decision, the three-minute wait, attendants riding free, (910) 202-2053, RideMICRO Zones 2, 3 and 4 in New Hanover, hours, the $2 fare with no discounts, 910-861-0661, and the main line (910) 343-0106: https://www.wavetransit.com/fare-pass-information/ , https://www.wavetransit.com/dial-ride-transportation/ , https://www.wavetransit.com/ridemicro/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Legal Aid of North Carolina, Apply, Offices and Senior Law Project: source of the Senior Legal Helpline 877-579-7562, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, "free civil legal help to North Carolinians who are 60 years of age or older," the general helpline 1 (866) 219-5262 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the Wilmington office at 272 N Front St, Ste 220, 910-763-6207, M-F 9 AM to 4:30 PM, serving New Hanover: https://legalaidnc.org/apply/ , https://legalaidnc.org/offices/ , https://legalaidnc.org/project/senior-law-project/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• North Carolina Department of Justice, Protecting Consumers: source of 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, that is 1-877-566-7226: https://ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers/ . Verified September 24, 2026.
• Alzheimer's Association, North Carolina chapters: source of the Wilmington/Coastal Area line 919.241.5960 and the 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900: https://www.alz.org/nc/about . Verified September 24, 2026.
• National anchor lines used in the "Start here" section, all of which work from anywhere: Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116: https://eldercare.acl.gov/ . Medicare 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE): https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone . VA 1-800-827-1000: https://www.va.gov/contact-us/ . Social Security 1-800-772-1213: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html . Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900: https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline . National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11): https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope . 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/ . Verified September 24, 2026.

Verified September 24, 2026. Program names, phone numbers, income limits, and deadlines change. Confirm directly with each program before you rely on it.

Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. Not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Programs and contacts change, confirm directly before relying on them.