ALERT: SCDSS Monitoring Federal Government Shutdown for SNAP Impact - Continued Government Closure May Impact Future SNAP Monthly Issuances

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
publicinfo@dss.sc.gov
803-898-7602

ALERT: SCDSS Monitoring Federal Government Shutdown for SNAP Impact

Continued Government Closure May Impact Future SNAP Monthly Issuances

October 22, 2025- As previously announced on October 1st, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that SNAP benefits will be paid to approved and qualified households for October 2025 during the federal government shutdown, based on guidance received by SCDSS.

With the continued federal government shutdown, there may be no SNAP benefits paid for November 2025. On October 10, 2025, SCDSS received notification from USDA instructing SCDSS to hold November 2025 SNAP issuance files until further notice. Based on recent issuance data, we understand that over 260,000 households in South Carolina rely on these benefits to supplement their family’s monthly food purchasing power. Until there is a resolution in Washington, D.C. and the federal government is funded and reopens, SCDSS will not be able to provide the federally funded benefits to new and on-going SNAP households until further notice.

SCDSS is alerting the public out of an abundance of caution because the agency wants South Carolina families to be prepared if the federal shutdown continues. If and when the federal shutdown ends and the agency receives additional guidance from the USDA on future monthly or partial disbursements, information will be shared with SNAP households and the public at large.

The federal government shutdown was caused when Congress did not pass new funding legislation by the September 30th deadline. That resulted in a temporary pause in many government operations and federally funded programs, and a prolonged shutdown threatens funding for programs like SNAP.

SCDSS offers the following tips for South Carolina’s SNAP households during this time of uncertainty:

• SNAP households can continue using your EBT card with existing funds during the federal government shutdown at approved SNAP retailers.
• Budget carefully any remaining funds from previous months on your EBT card.
• Look to local food banks and food pantries for assistance. According to the S.C. Department of Public Health, there are over 900 food banks and food pantries in the state. For an interactive map of food banks and pantries in South Carolina, please visit this map. Food banks and pantries across the state are open and accepting donations of funds and goods, including:

Golden Harvest Food Bank
Serves Allendale, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick Counties.

Harvest Hope Food Bank
Serves Calhoun, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Greenville, Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter Counties.

Lowcountry Food Bank
Serves Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, and Williamsburg Counties.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
Serves Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenwood, Lancaster, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York Counties.

• SNAP households are encouraged to proactively protect their SNAP benefits by locking their EBT cards when not in use, change PIN numbers frequently, and turn off the ability to use EBT cards for out-of-state purchases. SNAP fraud reminders can be found here. SCDSS continues to have no mechanism or funding to replace EBT benefits that are electronically stolen, as already announced by the agency on December 20, 2024.
• Processes like new application approval, card issuances and benefit recertification could face longer wait times. 

As more information is released, SCDSS will share updates to the agency’s website and social media channels:

• DSS Website: dss.sc.gov
• X: x.com/sc_dss
• Facebook: facebook.com/SouthCarolinaDSS
• YouTube: youtube.com/@dssmediarelations3341

The agency encourages the public to seek information from trusted, verified sources and news outlets instead of speculation on social media.

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