The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in South Carolina. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for South Carolina food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in South Carolina.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in South Carolina.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in South Carolina
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in South Carolina
- 2023 Income Limit for South Carolina Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in South Carolina
- Food Stamps in South Carolina FAQs
Food Stamps in South Carolina
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, the SNAP program is run by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Senior SNAP
If you are age 60 and older, you may be eligible for Senior SNAP in South Carolina.
Click here to access the Senior SNAP page to learn more about this program.
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in South Carolina?
To be eligible for SNAP in South Carolina, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a South Carolina resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for South Carolina Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in South Carolina, your household income must not exceed 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| South Carolina SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,473 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $3,518 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $4,029 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $4,541 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $5,052 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $512 | $394 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in South Carolina
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in South Carolina.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the South Carolina DSS Benefits portal.
Log on to https://benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov/ and select “Apply for Benefits.”
If you do not have an account, click on the “Create an Account” link for instructions on how to set up an account.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-(800) 616-1309.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the DSS has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in South Carolina FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about South Carolina Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for South Carolina Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in South Carolina or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-(800) 616-1309.
How Much Will I Receive in South Carolina Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in South Carolina, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In South Carolina, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $250.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in South Carolina SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How South Carolina Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Claire and her family of six (6) have $1,960 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $1,960) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 1,960 Net Income for Claire’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 588 Countable Income
$ 1,339 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$588 Countable income (round up)
$ 751 Monthly SNAP benefits for Claire’s family
When are South Carolina EBT benefits deposited?
South Carolina food stamps benefits are deposited on your SC EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. South Carolina EBT Deposit Dates are sent out on a staggered basis during the first 19 days of each month.
The day your South Carolina food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the last digit of your case number.
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your South Carolina EBT Card account by 6am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the South Carolina SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| The last digit of your Case Number ends with: | SNAP Benefits are available on the: |
| 0 | 10th day of the month |
| 1 | 11th day of the month |
| 2 | 12th day of the month |
| 3 | 13th day of the month |
| 4 | 14th day of the month |
| 5 | 15th day of the month |
| 6 | 16th day of the month |
| 7 | 17th day of the month |
| 8 | 18th day of the month |
| 9 | 19th day of the month |
How Many People are on Food Stamps in South Carolina?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in South Carolina | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 616,807 | 619,666 | 0.5% |
| Number of Households | 302,057 | 304,632 | 0.9% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $140,998,227.00 | $153,747,373.00 | 9.0% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept South Carolina EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 13 stores that accept South Carolina EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your SC EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your South Carolina SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept South Carolina food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Earth Fare
- Food Lion
- Kroger
- Opie Drive-Thru Grocery
- Publix
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
Do I have to work to receive food stamps in South Carolina?
Yes, if you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult and have no children or dependents (ABAWD), you must meet work requirements. If you are between the ages of 18 and 49 years old and physically able to work, you must complete one of the following to receive food stamps in South Carolina:
- Work a minimum of 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month
- Participate in an approved work training program
- Comply and participate in a workfare program
Income Limit for South Carolina Food Stamps Summary
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If you have additional questions about the South Carolina SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about South Carolina Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check South Carolina EBT Card Balance
- South Carolina EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items