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Social Services

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Cleveland County Department of Social Services
Physical Address: 200 S. Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Mailing Address: PO Box 9006, Shelby, NC 28151-9006
Telephone Numbers: (980) 484-6000, Fax: (704) 368-5751
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

StaffRebecca Johnson, Director 980-484-6100

Destiny Davidson, Deputy Director 980-484-6102

Ali Wilson, Program Administrator of Economic and Child Support Services 980-484-6103

Sherry Vess, Business Officer of Finance and Operations 980-484-6104

Keisha Haynes, Program Manager of Child Welfare 980-484-6431
(Child Protective Services and In-Home)

Jasmine Scott, Program Manager of Child Welfare 980-484-6462
(Intake, After Hours and Q/A & Training)

Tisha Sherard, Program Manager of Child Welfare 980-484-6430
(Child Permanency)

Elizabeth Ashburner, Program Manager of Child Support 980-484-6211

Jennifer Hamilton, Program Manager of Economic Services 980-484-6326
(Food & Nutrition Services, Program Integrity, Adult Medicaid, Training and Support)

Nicole Smith, Program Manager of Economic Services 980-484-6325
(Family Medicaid, Work First, Child Daycare, Work First, Energy Assistance, and Medicaid Transportation)

Application Links
FNS services:

Apply online at: https://epass.nc.gov/. If you need a replacement EBT card, to reset your EBT PIN number or to check your EBT balance; please contact the EBT Customer Service Office at 1-888-622-7328 .

Medicaid services:

Apply online at: https://epass.nc.gov/. If you have questions about services covered by Medicaid, please call the NC Medicaid Careline at 1-800-662-7030. 

Energy Assistance (LIEAP/CIP)
North Carolinians who are eligible for LIEAP assistance and did not receive an auto-renewal or notice of automated payment can apply for benefits starting on December 10, 2025.

Applicants can call the Cleveland County Department of Social Services at (980) 484-6000 to apply by phone, in person or print a paper application from epass.nc.gov to mail, fax or drop off at Cleveland County DSS.

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:
• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility requirements
• Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
• Be responsible for their heating cost.

Beginning Jan. 2, 2026, all other eligible households who meet the eligibility requirements may begin applying. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 2, 2026, to March 31, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.


Child Support Services:

You can apply for Child Support Services, review case information, and payment information, and make child support payments online at https://www.ncchildsupport.com/ecoa/ You can also receive information by calling the Child Support Customer Services Center at 1-800-992-9457.

Children and Adult Protective Services:

For the abuse, neglect of a child, or exploitation of a disabled adult, please contact 980-484-6400. If after hours, please contact communications at 704-484-4822.

Social Services Block Grant:

LIHEAP Block Grant Plan Announcement: