SNAP benefits in SC increased during coronavirus crisis
People who receive food assistance may get additional benefits for two months because of the coronavirus crisis, South Carolina’s Department of Social Services announced Friday.
The additional benefits are intended to help families who may be facing financial hardships during the pandemeic.
As the nation works to slow the spread of the coronavirus, economic activity has also slowed down, causing businesses to shutter and people to look for work. So far, more than 530 people in South Carolina have tested positive for COVID-19 and 13 have died.
The announcement by Department of Social Services will provide relief to tens of thousands of residents around the state who are on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
A federal waiver granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow South Carolina to provide two months of additional food assistance by bringing all families up the maximum SNAP benefit amount — based on their household size — regardless of their income. Those who already receive the maximum benefits won’t see an increase.
For example, if a family normally receives $400 in benefits, the supplement will provide an additional $246 a month to bring the household up to the maximum amount.
Families must show their monthly income in order to receive SNAP benefits and will still be required to do so with the emergency supplement. Households that received their March benefits are scheduled to receive the supplement on their EBT cards on Saturday.
April benefits will still come on their normal schedule at the maximum level. The extra supplement, however, will be issued separately and may appear several hours later, DSS said.
Those who were recently approved for SNAP assistance will also receive the maximum allotment level for March and April.
The department said all program rules still stand, but households that must re-verify their incomes in April or May, will have four extra months to recertify.
DSS said the emergency supplements will benefit about 176,000 households, or about two-thirds of the households receiving SNAP in the state.
“Families are struggling and the federal government has decided with this waiver this will help families sustain (themselves) with the food assistance during this difficult time,” DSS spokeswoman Pamela Bryant said.
Maximum monthly allotment by household size
1 - $194
2 - $355
3 - $509
4 - $646
5 - $768
6 - $921
7 - $1,018
8 - $1,164
9 - $1,310
10 - $1,456
Each additional member - $146
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 3:05 PM.