Two of the state’s prominent legal services organizations have joined forces with Code the Dream to better serve North Carolinians affected by upcoming changes to benefits eligibility under H.R. 1, which take effect on October 1. Legal Aid of North Carolina and Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy introduced a co-branded MyFriendBen-NC screener, which will be used to help the families they serve find life-changing benefits through the accessible, user-friendly app.
MFB-NC Background
CTD launched the North Carolina benefits screener app MFB-NC in 2025 to help users find 30+ short- and long-term benefits they may be eligible to receive. These programs include crucial assistance to families and individuals, such as food assistance, health insurance, and child care subsidies. MFB-NC users complete a short survey, available in 18 languages, that returns a customized report showing which programs they likely qualify for, along with the estimated dollar value and time required to apply. Critically, users receive information about how and where to apply for different public benefit programs and tax credits and information about local organizations that can provide assistance with these applications.
Since launching, more than 19,000 households across every county in the state have used the tool, and most find around $2,600 in monthly savings.
How North Carolina’s Legal Services Organizations Benefit from MFB-NC
North Carolina’s legal services organizations play an important role in connecting clients to these vital resources.
“Every day, we meet people who are working hard to support themselves and their families, yet many are unaware of programs that could help ease financial pressures,” said Julieanne Taylor, Program Director and Senior Attorney at CCLA. “By providing clear information in just a few minutes, MyFriendBen-NC empowers families to make informed decisions and access critical supports that can improve their financial stability and overall well-being—aligning perfectly with CCLA’s commitment to connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to thrive.”
By integrating the MFB-NC app into their work, LANC and CCLA will be able to better help their clients navigate the benefits maze to find vital resources.
“Many of the people we serve are already making difficult choices to keep food on the table, maintain housing, or access health care,” said Rebekah Garcia, Eastern Regional Manager/Managing Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina. “As eligibility rules change, it can be hard to know what benefits are available or where to start. MyFriendBen-NC helps people quickly understand their options and connect with resources that can make a real difference for their families. By combining technology with trusted community support, we can help more North Carolinians navigate these changes and get the assistance they need.”
Suppport for North Carolinians Navigating the Benefits Maze
Participation in safety net programs can improve health, increase economic mobility, and provide other tangible benefits for individuals, families, and communities. Despite the existence of these powerful programs that can uplift communities as a whole, barriers to access continue to mount, including eligibility changes from legislation such as H.R.1. These changes can increase confusion among families who need support most. Technology like the MFB-NC screener combined with direct assistance from organizations like LANC and CCLA is a powerful step toward mitigating some of these challenges.
“Navigating these systems is already complicated and time-consuming for users,“ said Louise Pocock, Senior Benefits Analyst at CTD. “As the rules for benefits eligibility change, many North Carolinians now face additional stress. We hope MyFriendBen-NC can help ease some of the financial strain and mental load for families.”
Learn More
- Visit the websites of our cobrand partners Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Read about our 2025 Purpose Driven Innovation Award for MFB-NC
- Check out our portfolio of tech-for-good projects
- Complete the benefits screener at bennc.org
