Hurricane Helene SNAP Replacement Benefits Update- October 11, 2024
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved South Carolina’s waiver request allowing DSS to automatically issue replacement benefits to current SNAP recipients residing in counties where 50% or more of the total population experienced a power outage lasting more than four (4) hours during Hurricane Helene.
SNAP recipients residing in the 28 counties listed below will automatically be issued a replacement of 55% of their September benefits, as determined by the federal government, and no longer need to individually apply for a replacement of their SNAP benefits.
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Abbeville Aiken Allendale Anderson Bamberg Barnwell |
Calhoun Cherokee Chester Colleton Edgefield Fairfield |
Greenville Greenwood Hampton Jasper Laurens Lexington |
McCormick Newberry Oconee Orangeburg Pickens
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Richland Saluda Spartanburg Union York
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Replacement SNAP Benefits will go out to EBT cards electronically on or before Tuesday, October 15th. **Calling or visiting your local DSS County Office will not speed of the process of the replacement benefits being added to a household’s EBT card.**
USDA/FNS did not approve automatic replacements for Marion County, as the numbers of electricity outages reported by the local utility providers did not reach the 50% threshold. SNAP recipients residing in Marion County can still apply individually for replacement of their benefits until October 26th.
SNAP Individual Replacement:
SNAP recipients residing in counties that are not included in the federal mass replacement waiver are still able to apply individually for replacement of their benefits. SNAP households residing in the counties listed below have until October 26, 2024, to report food loss resulting from Hurricane Helene.
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Beaufort Berkeley Charleston Chesterfield Clarendon |
Darlington Dillon Dorchester Florence Georgetown |
Horry Kershaw Lancaster Lee Marion |
Marlboro Sumter Williamsburg
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Clients in these counties not included in the federal mass replacement waiver can download and complete an Affidavit of Loss Due To A Household Misfortune (DSS Form 1634B) from the SC Department of Social Services website (click here to download). In addition to the Form 1634B, applicants must provide some form of verification to substantiate that their homes were in the affected areas. Types of verification include:
- Newspaper Article
- Letter from the Red Cross or a Food Bank
- Website Printout Showing Outage or Loss (Examples: News website or power company notification of account outage)
- Letter from a Landlord
- Letter from an Insurance Company
- Letter from the Electric Company
ATTENTION!
Announcing a new and convenient way for households to view their SNAP/TANF benefit issuance information.
SNAP/TANF Benefit Inquiry Portal
How does DSS help?
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Households, individuals, seniors, and the homeless may all be eligible for SNAP benefits. People who are working and need help to stretch their income to purchase food may also be eligible for SNAP benefits as well as those receiving Social Security benefits, child support, or unemployment. DSS administers SNAP through DSS county offices. Eligibility caseworkers interview applicants and approve those who qualify to receive the food benefit. Qualified applicants for SNAP begin receiving benefits within 30 days of their application. Some families and individuals need expedited benefits, which begin within seven days of application. |
Apply Online for SNAP Benefits
SNAP FRAUD ALERT from the USDA
SCDSS partners with organizations across South Carolina who support our mission by, generously, providing discounts and incentives to those we serve. Click HERE to learn more!
