The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) has received a notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting that the Healthy Food SC demonstration project for households receiving SNAP benefits in South Carolina, which SCDSS was prepared to begin on August 31, 2026, be postponed with a new implementation date of November 1, 2026.

A copy of the directive from the USDA can be found here.

The program, as approved by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was in response to a waiver requested by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and seeks to exclude the purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from the list of eligible foods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. 

Governor McMaster announced his intent to pursue the waiver in August 2025 and issued an executive order in September 2025 directing the South Carolina Department of Social Services to submit the waiver.

Additional information and updates, for both SNAP retailers and SNAP households, will be posted on this page as they are announced.

SNAP Retailer Information SNAP Households Information

*Current as of August 31, 2026*