State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in South Carolina. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Food
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for seniors in South Carolina
South Carolina's Department of Social Services (DSS) runs SNAP, which puts money for groceries on an EBT card each month.
If everyone in your home is 65 or older, or gets SSI or Social Security disability, and no one works, you may be able to mail in a shorter application and stay approved for three years. Starting November 1, 2026, SNAP in South Carolina can't be used for candy, soft drinks, energy drinks or other sweetened drinks.
How to apply in South Carolina
- By phone
- 1-800-616-1309
- In person
- Apply at your county DSS office.
- By mail
- Mail or fax a completed application to your county DSS office. Households where everyone is 65 or older and no one works can mail the shorter ESAP application to ESAP, South Carolina Department of Social Services, PO Box 100203, Columbia, SC 29202.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in South Carolina
| Savings limit, household with someone 60+ or disabled, gross income at or under 130% of poverty | No limit |
|---|---|
| Savings limit if gross income is over 130% of poverty (manual vol. 73, Oct. 2026) | $4,750 |
| Gross income limit for the no-savings-test rule (broad-based categorical eligibility) | 130% of the poverty level |
Source: South Carolina Department of Social Services (source 5)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| How long approval lasts, households where all adults are 60+ or disabled and no one works | 24 months; 36 months if everyone is 65 or older or gets SSI or Social Security disability (EDSAP) |
|---|
Source: South Carolina Department of Social Services (source 5)
How South Carolina is different
Where South Carolina's rules differ from the federal rules for SNAP for seniors.
- Shorter application you can mail in for households where everyone is 65 or older, or gets SSI or Social Security disability, and no one has earned income (Elderly or Disabled Simplified Application Project)
- Those households are approved for three years, with a short check-in form each year, and don't need to send extra proof unless something is unclear
Source: South Carolina Department of Social Services (source 3)
Good to know
- Starting November 1, 2026, SNAP in South Carolina can't be used for candy, soft drinks, energy drinks or sweetened drinks (Healthy Food SC). Diet or zero-sugar soft drinks are still allowed.
- South Carolina says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed the SNAP work rule age range to 18 to 64, so adults up to 64 who are able to work and have no child under 14 may be limited to three months of SNAP in three years unless they work or join a work program 20 hours a week.
Source: South Carolina Department of Social Services (source 6)
Free help
Free help with this in South Carolina
South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in South Carolina
SNAP food benefits in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, How do I apply? (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, Help for the Elderly or Disabled (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, Contact DSS (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, SNAP Policy Manual, Vol. 73 (October 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services, Healthy Food SC: SNAP Households (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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