hua7450 · Oct 16, 2026 · Oct 12, 2026 · Oct 13, 2026 · Oct 13, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026
diff --git a/changelog.d/nc-ssp-2026.added.md b/changelog.d/nc-ssp-2026.added.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Add North Carolina State-County Special Assistance for 2026.
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/household/household_state_benefits.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/household/household_state_benefits.yaml
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ values:
     - nj_ssp
     # New Mexico benefits
     - nm_ssi_state_supplement
+    # North Carolina benefits
+    - nc_sa
     # Pennsylvania benefits
     - pa_ssp
     # South Carolina benefits
@@ -181,6 +183,7 @@ values:
     - wy_ssp
     # North Carolina benefits
     - nc_child_care_subsidies
+    - nc_sa
     # South Carolina benefits
     - sc_child_care_subsidies
     # Massachusetts benefits
@@ -289,6 +292,7 @@ values:
     - wy_ssp
     # North Carolina benefits
     - nc_child_care_subsidies
+    - nc_sa
     # South Carolina benefits
     - sc_child_care_subsidies
     # Massachusetts benefits
@@ -398,6 +402,7 @@ values:
     - wy_ssp
     # North Carolina benefits
     - nc_child_care_subsidies
+    - nc_sa
     # South Carolina benefits
     - sc_child_care_subsidies
     # Massachusetts benefits

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/hud/annual_income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/hud/annual_income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ values:
     - nj_ssp
     - pa_ssp
     - wy_ssp
+    - nc_sa_countable_for_hud
     - general_assistance
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - child_support_received

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/lieap/unearned_income_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/lieap/unearned_income_sources.yaml
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ values:
     # "Social Security Benefits" (page 20). The plan checks "Including
     # MediCare deduction", so the benefit is counted gross.
     - social_security
+    # "Special Assistance (SA)" (page 20): facility SA, SA In-Home and SA for
+    # the Certain Disabled. SA-5400 II also counts the SA In-Home payment for
+    # Energy Programs.
+    - nc_sa
     # "General Assistance (GA)" (page 9); plan "General Assistance benefits".
     - general_assistance
     # "Pensions" (page 16); plan "Retirement / pension benefits".
@@ -53,3 +57,5 @@ metadata:
       href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/fns-300-sources-of-income.pdf#page=1
     - title: North Carolina FY2026 state plan, item 1.9 countable income checklist, pages 6-7
       href: https://liheapch.acf.gov/docs/2026/state-plans/NC_Plan_2026.pdf#page=6
+    - title: North Carolina Special Assistance In-Home Program Manual, SA-5400 II
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Special-Assistance-In-Home-Program-Manual-Rev-June-2026.pdf#page=47
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/minimum_adult_age.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/minimum_adult_age.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+description: North Carolina sets this age as the minimum for disabled and in-home applicants under the State-County Special Assistance program.
+values:
+  2026-01-01: 18
+
+metadata:
+  unit: year
+  period: year
+  label: North Carolina SA minimum adult age
+  reference:
+    - title: North Carolina General Statutes § 108A-41(b)(1)
+      href: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_108A/GS_108A-41.pdf#page=1
+    - title: "North Carolina Special Assistance Manual SA-3100 II.A.1 and III.C #page 6,10"
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Special-Assistance-Manual-Rev-June-2026.pdf#page=6
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/personal_needs_allowance.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/personal_needs_allowance.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+description: North Carolina provides this amount as the monthly personal needs allowance under the State-County Special Assistance program.
+values:
+  2022-01-01: 70
+
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-USD
+  period: month
+  label: North Carolina SA personal needs allowance
+  reference:
+    - title: North Carolina Special Assistance Manual SA-3220 II.C
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Special-Assistance-Manual-Rev-June-2026.pdf#page=205
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/rate/basic.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/rate/basic.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+description: North Carolina provides this amount as the maximum monthly basic rate under the State-County Special Assistance program.
+values:
+  2026-01-01: 1_397
+
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-USD
+  period: month
+  label: North Carolina SA basic rate
+  # G.S. 108A-42.1(a) adjusts the rate each January 1 by the Social Security
+  # cost-of-living adjustment; the published rate replaces the projection.
+  uprating:
+    parameter: gov.ssa.uprating
+    rounding:
+      type: nearest
+      interval: 1
+  reference:
+    - title: North Carolina General Statutes § 108A-42.1(a)
+      href: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_108A/GS_108A-42.1.pdf
+    - title: "North Carolina Special Assistance Manual SA-3220 II.A and VIII #page 204,219"
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Special-Assistance-Manual-Rev-June-2026.pdf#page=204
+    - title: North Carolina Change Notice EFS-SA-CN-01-2026 I
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/EFS-SA-CN-01-2026.pdf#page=1
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/rate/enhanced.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/sa/rate/enhanced.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+description: North Carolina provides this amount as the maximum monthly enhanced rate for special care units and in-home recipients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia under the State-County Special Assistance program.
+values:
+  2026-01-01: 1_792
+
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-USD
+  period: month
+  label: North Carolina SA enhanced rate
+  # G.S. 108A-42.1(b) adjusts the rate each January 1 by the Social Security
+  # cost-of-living adjustment; the published rate replaces the projection.
+  uprating:
+    parameter: gov.ssa.uprating
+    rounding:
+      type: nearest
+      interval: 1
+  reference:
+    - title: North Carolina General Statutes § 108A-42.1(b)
+      href: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_108A/GS_108A-42.1.pdf
+    - title: "North Carolina Special Assistance Manual SA-3220 II.B and VIII #page 205,219"
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Special-Assistance-Manual-Rev-June-2026.pdf#page=205
+    - title: North Carolina Change Notice EFS-SA-CN-01-2026 I
+      href: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/EFS-SA-CN-01-2026.pdf#page=1
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/usda/snap/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/usda/snap/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ values:
     - mi_ssp_person
     - mn_msa_person
     - mo_ssp
+    - nc_sa
     - ne_aabd
     - nj_ssp
     - nm_ssi_state_supplement

diff --git a/policyengine_us/programs.yaml b/policyengine_us/programs.yaml
@@ -1127,6 +1127,15 @@ programs:
         notes: >-
           Models the 2026 flat payment for Wyoming residents who receive SSI
           and have no other income.
+      - state: NC
+        status: partial
+        name: North Carolina SA
+        full_name: North Carolina State-County Special Assistance
+        variable: nc_sa
+        parameter_prefix: gov.states.nc.ncdhhs.sa
+        verified_years: '2026'
+        notes: Models 2026 basic and enhanced facility and in-home payments, including lower contracted
+          rates and first-month proration. Open/shut and discharge payments are not modeled.
 
   - id: social_security
     name: Social Security

diff --git a/policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/lieap/integration.yaml b/policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/states/nc/ncdhhs/lieap/integration.yaml
@@ -333,3 +333,28 @@
     has_heating_expense: [true, true, true, true]
     nc_lieap_eligible: [true, false, true, false]
     nc_lieap: [400, 0, 300, 0]
+
+- name: Case 10, Special Assistance In-Home counts as unearned income.
+  # FNS 300.02 "Special Assistance (SA)" is countable unearned income (page
+  # 20), and SA-5400 II counts the SA In-Home payment for Energy Programs.
+  # Age 65, no other income: SSI 994 x 12 = 11_928; SA In-Home basic
+  # (1,397 + 70 - 994) x 12 = 5_676. Gross 17_604; medical deduction 1_020 ->
+  # nc_lieap_income 16_584 ($1,382 a month). Limit 15_650 x 1.5 = 23_475 ->
+  # $1,956. Lower band ends at $978 -> $300. Without SA the income would be
+  # 10_908 ($909) and the payment $400.
+  period: 2026
+  input:
+    state_code: NC
+    age: 65
+    nc_sa_care_setting: IN_HOME
+    tanf: 0
+    childcare_expenses: 0
+    heating_type: ELECTRICITY
+    pre_subsidy_electricity_expense: 1_200
+  output:
+    nc_sa: 5_676
+    nc_lieap_gross_income_person: 17_604
+    nc_lieap_income: 16_584
+    nc_lieap_income_limit: 23_475
+    nc_lieap_eligible: true
+    nc_lieap: 300
Original file line number	Diff line number	Diff line change
		@@ -0,0 +1 @@
		Add North Carolina State-County Special Assistance for 2026.
-Original file line number
+Diff line change
@@ Expand Up / @@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ values: @@
         - mi_ssp_person
         - mn_msa_person
         - mo_ssp
+        - nc_sa
         - ne_aabd
         - nj_ssp
         - nm_ssi_state_supplement
@@ Expand Down @@