N.C. Gen. Stat. § 111-16
Promptly after an application for aid is made to the board of county commissioners under this Article, the Department of Health and Human Services shall be notified of the application by mail by the county commissioners. One of the duplicate applications for aid made before the board of county commissioners shall be transmitted with this notice.
As soon as any award has been made or any application declined by the board of county commissioners, prompt notice in writing of the award or the declined application shall be forwarded by mail to the Department of Health and Human Services and to the applicant. This notice shall fully state the particulars of the award or the facts of denial. An applicant may appeal an award or denial pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 111-16