Important News: Automatic SNAP Benefits Replacement for Upstate South Carolina Residents Affected by Hurricane Helene

Important News for SNAP Recipients in Upstate South Carolina

Hey there folks! We have some good news to pass along to our neighbors in Spartanburg and other parts of Upstate South Carolina. If you were affected by power outages during Hurricane Helene and receive SNAP benefits, you are about to find a bit extra on your EBT cards, and you don’t need to do a thing to get it!

What’s Happening?

The United States Department of Agriculture has given the green light for the South Carolina Department of Social Services to automatically issue replacement benefits to current recipients who live in counties where, get this, 50% or more of the total population had to deal with a power outage lasting longer than four hours during the recent Hurricane.

If you’re in one of the 28 counties, which includes all Upstate counties, you’ll see a boost of 55% of your September benefits popping up on your EBT cards. This isn’t something you need to apply for – it’s coming automatically.

When is this happening?

Keep your eyes on the mail and mark your calendars folks. These replacement SNAP benefits will be automatically added to your EBT cards on or before Tuesday, October 15. That’s just a few days away!

Wait, is my county included?

Now you’re probably wondering which counties are included in this welcome piece of news. Don’t fret! Here’s a rundown of the areas set to receive automatic benefits:

• Abbeville
• Aiken
• Allendale
• Anderson
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Beaufort
• Berkeley
• Calhoun
• Charleston
• Cherokee
• Chester
• Chesterfield
• Clarendon
• Colleton
• Darlington
• Dillon
• Dorchester
• Edgefield
• Fairfield
• Florence
• Georgetown
• Greenville
• Greenwood
• Hampton
• Horry
• Jasper
• Kershaw

What does this mean for recipients?

The impact of Hurricane Helene may have caused a dent in some families’ grocery budget. With this move by the USDA and the South Carolina Department of Social Services, it seems like some relief is on the horizon. So, if you’re one of those families who have been hit hard, just hang in there. Help is on the way!

That being said, the process is automatic so you wouldn’t spend time filing any forms or making phone calls. This will surely be a welcomed reprieve for individuals and families who have been grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Stay safe, Upstate South Carolina. Better days are on the way!