SNAP in South Carolina: Income Limits, EBT Payment Dates and How to Apply
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SNAP in South Carolina pays for groceries through the South Carolina EBT Card. From October 1, 2026 the gross income limit is $1,729 a month for one person and $3,575 for four, the maximum benefit for a family of four is $1,023, and benefits land on a date set by your case number. Every figure on this page is from USDA's FY2027 cost-of-living memo or South Carolina's own SNAP pages, dated 2026-09-23.
| Program name | SNAP |
|---|---|
| EBT card | South Carolina EBT Card |
| Apply | benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov · 800-616-1309 |
| EBT card line | 800-554-5268 |
| Gross income test | 130% of poverty |
| Asset test | none for most households |
| Payment dates | cases opened since September 2012 are staggered 2nd to 19th by the last digit of your case number; older cases 1st to 10th |
Income limits in South Carolina from October 1, 2026
South Carolina uses broad-based categorical eligibility only to drop the asset test: has no asset test for most households, but the gross income limit stays at the federal 130% of poverty. Net income after deductions must be at or below 100%.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (130%) | Net monthly limit (100%) | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 | $306 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $1,804 | $562 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $2,277 | $808 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $2,750 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $4,191 | $3,224 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $4,806 | $3,697 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $5,421 | $4,170 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $6,037 | $4,644 | $1,841 |
| Each additional | +$616 | +$474 | +$225 |
FY2027, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Income limits computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guideline the way USDA computes them. Households with a member who is 60 or older or disabled skip the gross test and face only the net test.
Net income in South Carolina is figured after the $217 standard deduction for households of one to three, 20% of earnings, dependent care, and shelter costs capped at $769; the SNAP benefits guide walks through the arithmetic.
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina is one of seven states that adopted broad-based categorical eligibility only to remove the asset test, keeping the 130% gross limit; 36 states and DC set a higher limit. Payment dates depend on when your case was opened or which group it falls in, so check the schedule below. On accuracy, South Carolina ranked 18 of 51 in FY2025 (1 is the lowest error rate).
When South Carolina loads benefits
Per USDA's issuance schedule, South Carolina pays as follows: cases opened since September 2012 are staggered 2nd to 19th by the last digit of your case number; older cases 1st to 10th. Benefits post overnight and are spendable the next morning; unused benefits roll over month to month but are removed after nine months without use. USDA's published schedule has not been refreshed since 2021, so if a date matters, confirm it at dss.sc.gov.
How to apply in South Carolina
- Apply online at benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov, or call 800-616-1309. Paper and in-person applications also work; the date the office receives any signed application with your name and address is the date your benefits start from.
- Under $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in the bank, or income plus cash below rent and utilities? Say expedited; 7 CFR 273.2(i) requires benefits within seven days.
- Do the phone interview, send proof, and set a PIN on the South Carolina EBT Card when it arrives.
Card problems, balances and PIN changes: 800-554-5268. A SNAP case also qualifies you for a free Lifeline phone; the carriers serving South Carolina are ranked on our South Carolina phone guide, and the paperwork is on free phone with food stamps.
South Carolina specifics
- South Carolina's SNAP payment error rate for FY2025 was 8.8% against a national 10.62%. Under the 2025 law, a rate in that band would put South Carolina in the 10% cost-share tier when states start paying a share of benefits from October 2027. That is a budget question for the state, not a change to your eligibility, but it is why several states are tightening verification now.
- Local offices serve Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston and every county; the state phone line above routes you to yours.
The 2025 federal law's changes, from the age-64 time limit to the end of the internet deduction, apply in South Carolina as everywhere and are listed on the SNAP benefits guide. Health coverage for the same household is on the South Carolina Medicaid page.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in South Carolina in 2026-27?
From October 1, 2026, $1,729 a month gross for one person and $3,575 for a household of four, which is 130% of the federal poverty guideline. Net income after deductions must also be at or below 100% of poverty: $1,330 for one person and $2,750 for four.
How much does SNAP pay in South Carolina?
Up to $306 a month for one person and $1,023 for four in FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027); minimum $25 for one or two people.
When are SNAP benefits deposited in South Carolina?
Cases opened since September 2012 are staggered 2nd to 19th by the last digit of your case number; older cases 1st to 10th, per USDA's schedule, onto the South Carolina EBT Card.
What is the South Carolina EBT card called, and who do I call about it?
The South Carolina EBT Card; card problems go to 800-554-5268 and case questions to 800-616-1309.
Sources
- USDA FNS: FY2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments
- South Carolina SNAP program page
- USDA FNS: SNAP state directory
- USDA FNS: monthly issuance schedule
- USDA FNS: broad-based categorical eligibility chart (June 2026)
- USDA FNS: FY2025 payment error rates
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.