COLUMBIA, S.C. — In the aftermath of Helene, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) is requesting a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that, if approved, will allow DSS to automatically issue federally funded food replacement benefits.
If approved, the benefits would go to current SNAP recipients residing in counties where 50% or more of the total population in that county experienced a power outage lasting more than four (4) hours per federal guidelines. The amount of replacement benefits each SNAP household will receive is based on their monthly issuance date.
Once more information is available, it will be released by DSS official messages.
DSS encourages SNAP recipients to seek verified information from trusted sources, such as directly from DSS, and not rumors or misinformation spread on social media networks.
If you are without food right now and need immediate assistance, food is available at your local food bank. Emergency shelters and feeding sites are also operating in some areas.
