South Carolina SNAP Benefit Calculator
South Carolina spreads its SNAP deposits from the first through the nineteenth of each month, keyed to your case number. Estimate your monthly benefit below, then look up your payment date.
South Carolina SNAP Calculator
South Carolina DSS approves cases under broad-based rules, which quietly remove the asset test and widen who qualifies.
South Carolina SNAP Calculator
Instant estimate • Free • No signup required
Total people living and eating together
Wages, Social Security, unemployment, child support — all income before taxes
Rent or mortgage payment + average utility costs (electric, gas, water)
Childcare or adult dependent care expenses needed for work
South Carolina Quick Facts
- ✓Program Name: SNAP (SC DSS)
- ✓Max Monthly Benefit: $306-$1,841
- ✓Population: 5.2M
- ✓Region: South
Important Note
South Carolina's broad-based rules quietly remove the asset test, widening the door for many households. The county DSS office nearest you makes the actual decision, from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. Deposits spread from the first through the nineteenth of each month, keyed to case numbers.
FY2027 Federal SNAP Limits
- ✓Max benefit (1 person): $306/month
- ✓Max benefit (family of 4): $1,023/month
- ✓Gross income limit: 130% of FPL
- ✓Net income limit: 100% of FPL
About South Carolina SNAP Benefits
The Department of Social Services runs the program statewide through county DSS offices from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. Applications start online, by mail, or in person at the county that serves your address.
South Carolina applies broad-based categorical eligibility at 130 percent, which drops the asset test for most applicants. Benefits load monthly onto an EBT card honored at supermarkets and coastal farmers markets alike.
Case numbers determine the exact deposit day between the first and the nineteenth. A family of four qualifies for up to $1,023 in FY2027, and one adult for $306.
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The Numbers That Matter — South Carolina SNAP at a Glance
South Carolina runs SNAP under federal rules with one state-specific twist that trips up almost every newcomer: the deposit schedule. Unlike states that load every card on the 1st, South Carolina spreads EBT deposits across the first nineteen days of the month based on the last digit of your case number. Knowing your exact day matters for planning grocery runs, catching weekend sales, and budgeting until the next deposit. This guide walks through the current FY2027 numbers that took effect October 1, 2026, the deposit calendar, and every step of applying through South Carolina DSS.
What Is SNAP in South Carolina?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is the federal food assistance program administered in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS), Economic Services Division. Benefits are loaded monthly onto a plastic EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and farmers markets across the state. South Carolina is part of the EBT merchant network that includes Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, Aldi, and most major chains.
South Carolina uses a Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) policy at 130% of the federal poverty level, which means households with gross income at or below 130% FPL are categorically eligible and face no asset (resource) test. Savings, a car, and other resources generally do not disqualify you as long as your income fits. This is confirmed on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service BBCE policy matrix, and it makes South Carolina friendlier to working families who own a reliable vehicle than the old cash-savings rules would suggest.
One important note: SNAP in South Carolina is not the same as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and it is also separate from the summer SUN Bucks program for school-age children. Many South Carolina households qualify for more than one of these at the same time, so it pays to ask about all three when you contact DSS.
South Carolina SNAP Income Limits FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027)
Most South Carolina households must pass a gross income test at 130% of the federal poverty level and a net income test at 100% FPL. Households with a member who is 60+ or receiving disability benefits skip the gross test and only need to meet the net limit. The FY2027 federal figures below are what SC DSS applies from October 1, 2026:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Income (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $1,804 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $4,191 | $3,224 |
| 6 | $4,806 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $5,421 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $6,037 | $4,644 |
Gross income means everything before taxes and deductions — wages, self-employment profit, Social Security, unemployment, child support received. Net income is what remains after the deductions covered below. Earnings from a job also get a 20% disregard, meaning one-fifth of gross earned income is simply ignored before the tests are applied.
South Carolina SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotments FY2027
Your actual benefit depends on household size and net income, but it can never exceed these FY2027 maximums. A household with zero net income receives the full amount:
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
Deductions That Lower Your Countable Income
South Carolina applies the standard federal deductions, and claiming every one you qualify for is the single most effective way to raise your monthly benefit. The 20% earned income disregard comes first, then:
Standard Deduction
$217 for households of 1–3, $229 for 4, $268 for 5, and $308 for 6 or more members (FY2027).
Earned Income Deduction
20% of gross earned income, applied automatically when anyone in the household works.
Dependent Care
Actual costs of childcare or adult care that let a household member work, seek work, or attend training — with no dollar cap.
Excess Shelter
Shelter costs (rent or mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities) above half of adjusted income, capped at $769 statewide in FY2027. Households with a 60+ or disabled member have no cap on this deduction, and households experiencing homelessness can claim $205.66.
Medical Costs (60+/Disabled)
Out-of-pocket medical expenses above $35 per month for elderly or disabled members — prescriptions, copays, transportation to treatment.
South Carolina EBT Deposit Schedule — Your Exact Day
SC DSS loads benefits based on the last digit of your case number. Even digits land on that same date; odd digits land ten days later; a case ending in 0 lands on the 10th. Benefits are available first thing on your scheduled morning, including weekends and holidays.
| Case Number Ends In | Benefits Available |
|---|---|
| 0 | 10th of the month |
| 1 | 11th of the month |
| 2 | 2nd of the month |
| 3 | 13th of the month |
| 4 | 4th of the month |
| 5 | 15th of the month |
| 6 | 6th of the month |
| 7 | 17th of the month |
| 8 | 8th of the month |
| 9 | 19th of the month |
Check your case number on any DSS notice or on your account in the DSS Benefits Portal. If your deposit seems late, remember the odd-digit rule: a case ending in 7 loads on the 17th, not the 7th — the most common reason South Carolina families think a payment was missed.
Work Requirements — the ABAWD Time Limit
Adults ages 18 through 64 who are able to work and don't have dependents under 18 (called ABAWDs) can only receive SNAP for 3 months in any 36-month period unless they work at least 80 hours a month, participate in a qualifying training program such as the SC Works employment and training track, or qualify for an exemption. Federal law raised the upper age from 54 to 64, the biggest change of 2026 and 2027 — SC DSS now applies the 18–64 range. Veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth have separate exemption categories worth asking about before assuming you're timed out.
How to Apply for SNAP in South Carolina
There are three routes, and the online portal is by far the fastest:
Online — DSS Benefits Portal
Create an account at the SC DSS Benefits Portal, complete the application, and upload documents (photo ID, pay stubs, rent, utilities) directly from your phone.
By Phone or Mail
Call the DSS toll-free line at 1-800-616-1309 to have a paper application mailed to you, then return it to your county DSS office by mail, fax, or in person.
In Person
Walk into your county DSS Economic Services office. Bring ID, proof of address, income for the last 30 days, and shelter cost documents to finish faster.
DSS must accept your application the day it's received — even if it's just the first page with your name, address, and signature — and the eligibility interview happens within 30 days, or 7 days if you qualify for expedited service. Check the complete application timeline guide to see what happens at each stage, and review the document checklist so nothing stalls your case.
South Carolina SNAP FAQs
What day do I get my South Carolina food stamps?
Based on the last digit of your case number: 0 loads on the 10th; even digits (2, 4, 6, 8) load on that same date; odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) load ten days later — the 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, or 19th. Benefits appear on your EBT card early that morning.
Does South Carolina check my savings account?
No. Under South Carolina's BBCE policy at 130% FPL, there is no asset or resource test for SNAP households. Your checking, savings, vehicle value, and retirement accounts don't count against eligibility as long as your income fits the limits.
How much will a family of 3 get in South Carolina in 2027?
The FY2027 maximum for a 3-person household is $808 per month. Your exact amount depends on net income after deductions — many working families receive a partial benefit rather than the maximum.
Can college students get SNAP in South Carolina?
Possible, but limited. Students enrolled half-time or more must meet a work exemption such as 20+ hours a week, work-study, or caring for a young child. Ask DSS which exemption applies before assuming you're ineligible.
Related Guides
Figures reflect USDA FY2027 COLA values effective October 1, 2026 and SC DSS policy. Your county DSS office makes the final eligibility determination.
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