South Carolina families lose food assistance as federal SNAP changes take effect

Federal SNAP changes reach South Carolina

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump, changed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility, work rules, and state financing, with several provisions affecting South Carolina households.

South Carolina began applying revised federal work requirements on Feb. 1, 2026, expanding the number of adults potentially subject to SNAP time limits. Separate changes to SNAP administrative and benefit financing follow different federal implementation schedules.

Outside estimate tracks SNAP losses

A policy analyst estimated that about 75,000 South Carolinians had already lost SNAP access since the federal law was enacted and described the change as roughly 13%.

The estimate is not an official South Carolina Department of Social Services count, so the precise number of recipients who lost eligibility because of the federal changes remains uncertain.

Work rules cover older adults

Federal law expanded the SNAP time limit to more older adults, and South Carolina applies the requirement to affected people ages 18 through 64 who lack another exception.

The change extended the upper age boundary from 54 to 64, bringing more adults into rules that can limit benefits when monthly work requirements are not satisfied consistently.

Caregiver exception becomes narrower

Federal law narrowed the caregiver exception to parents or household members responsible for a dependent child younger than 14, changing which caregivers automatically avoid the SNAP time limit.

Adults caring only for children ages 14 through 17 may therefore face the time limit unless another exception applies to their individual circumstances under federal program rules and requirements.

Several prior exceptions end

The law removed automatic time-limit exceptions previously available to veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and certain adults age 24 or younger who had aged out of state foster care.

People in those groups may still qualify for other exceptions, including medical limitations, pregnancy, qualifying caregiving responsibilities, or exemptions from general SNAP work requirements under established federal rules.

Three countable months remain central

Adults subject to the time limit generally must work or participate in qualifying activities for at least 80 hours each month to maintain benefits beyond three countable months.

Without meeting that requirement or qualifying for an exception, an affected recipient can receive SNAP for only three countable months during the applicable 36-month period under federal eligibility rules.

State screens cases throughout eligibility

South Carolina screens potential time-limited SNAP recipients during applications, recertifications, and certain household changes, allowing eligibility workers to determine whether federal requirements or individual exceptions still apply to them.

State policy also requires households to receive information about the time limit, available exceptions, and ways an affected person can satisfy the applicable federal work requirement each month.

Budget language bars waiver requests

Current South Carolina budget language prevents the Department of Social Services from seeking, applying for, accepting, or renewing waivers of federal SNAP time-limit requirements during the fiscal year.

That restriction removes one option otherwise available to states in qualifying areas, making individual exceptions and compliance with federal work rules especially relevant for affected South Carolina recipients.

Pantry reports reflect different periods

A Georgetown and Horry County caseworker for The Salvation Army described higher pantry demand during the earlier SNAP interruption rather than directly linking those changes to 2026 eligibility rules.

Lowcountry Food Bank staff separately linked rising requests for food assistance with SNAP reductions, describing greater demand among households seeking support through community food programs across the region.

Food bank adjusts purchasing

Lowcountry Food Bank staff reported adjusting purchasing decisions as demand increased, including changing which items the organization buys and what participating families receive through its local distribution programs.

The food bank serves 10 coastal South Carolina counties through about 240 partner agencies, including pantries and meal programs that distribute assistance throughout its regional service network each year.

Little-known fact: Children made up 43% of the total decline in SNAP participation, with about 1.2 million losing benefits.

Coastal food insecurity was already rising

Lowcountry Food Bank reported that food insecurity across its 10-county coastal service area rose 55.6% between 2023 and 2025, representing nearly 73,000 more residents facing uncertain food access.

That increase predates the 2026 SNAP work-rule changes, while the organization has also reported that reductions in federal nutrition support are adding pressure across its coastal service area.

Administrative costs shift toward state

Federal financing changes will raise South Carolina SNAP costs, with the state required to cover 75% of administrative expenses beginning October 1, 2026, under the revised federal funding structure.

South Carolina’s final fiscal 2027 appropriations include $34.1 million in recurring general funds for changes in federal SNAP funding match requirements affecting the Department of Social Services.

Curious why SNAP benefits are mentioned in the tax case? Learn what authorities say investigators uncovered.

Benefit matching adds future state costs

South Carolina recorded an 8.80% SNAP payment error rate for fiscal year 2025, placing the state in the 10% cost-sharing tier if that rate determines fiscal year 2028.

One projection places that cost near $120 million, although the final amount remains uncertain because the 2026 rate and statutory delay rules may affect South Carolina’s implementation.

Wondering how a South Carolina street takeover led to 80 arrests? See what authorities say happened during the crackdown.

What do you think about South Carolina families losing food assistance as federal SNAP changes take effect? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• Immigrant food assistance becomes the focus of a fresh blue state lawsuit
• SNAP enrollment in El Paso declines after policy changes affect local food assistance participation
• Walmart sales slow as lower-income shoppers feel more pressure