N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-36
The assistance granted by this Article shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity; and none of the money paid or payable as assistance shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal processes, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.
In the event of the death of a public assistance recipient during or after the first day of the month for which assistance was previously authorized by the county social services board, or county director if waived, any public assistance check or checks payable to such recipient not endorsed prior to such recipient's death shall be delivered to the clerk of superior court and by him administered under the provisions of G.S. 28A-25-6.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-36