A common question we hear is whether North Carolina’s FORTIFIED-related grant programs are income-based. The short answer: no — these grant programs are not income-based. Eligibility is primarily tied to whether your property is covered by an eligible policy issued through the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA), also known as the Coastal Property Insurance Pool.
Below is a clear breakdown of the two main grant paths and how eligibility is determined.
1) Strengthen Your Roof Grant (Outer Banks & Barrier Islands)
To meet initial eligibility for a Strengthen Your Roof Grant, you must be an NCIUA policyholder with an eligible policy type on property located in rating territories 110 and 120 — generally the Outer Banks and Barrier Islands.
Eligible policy types may include:
- Homeowners
- Homeowners Windstorm or Hail
- Dwelling
- Dwelling Windstorm or Hail
Key requirement:
You must have a current, eligible NCIUA policy at the time you apply.
(See map below on the page for rating territories.)
What are rating territories 110 and 120?
These rating territories are established by the North Carolina Rate Bureau. In general, they include areas south and east of the Intracoastal Waterway from the South Carolina line to Fort Macon (Beaufort Inlet), then south and east of Core, Pamlico, Roanoke, and Currituck Sounds to the Virginia line — the regions commonly known as the Outer Banks.
2) Strengthen Your Coastal Roof Grant (Coastal Counties)
For the Strengthen Your Coastal Roof Grant, eligibility is based on having an NCIUA policy with Coverage A (Building Coverage) on property in rating territories 130, 140, 150, and 160 — generally along the North Carolina coast.
Eligible policy types include:
- Homeowners
- Homeowners Windstorm or Hail
- Dwelling Windstorm or Hail
Key requirement:
You must have a current, eligible NCIUA policy (with Coverage A) at the time you apply.
(See map below on the page for rating territories.)
What areas are considered “Coastal Area”?
Rating territories are established by the North Carolina Rate Bureau. In general, the coastal area includes the following counties:
Beaufort, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Important note: the “Coastal Area” does not include the portions of these counties that are within the Beach Area, as defined in G.S. 58-45-5(2b).
Need Help Confirming Eligibility?
If you’re not sure whether your policy or property location qualifies, we can help you confirm the basics and guide you through the next steps. Contact Coastal Fortified Home and we’ll point you in the right direction before you apply.