SNAP

South Carolina is among six states where certain unhealthy foods and beverages will no longer be available for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are flowing again after a pause during the federal government shutdown. But the clock is about to start on a policy that imposes work requirements on more beneficiaries.

South Carolina's more than 549,000 Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, recipients will see their federal food assistance benefits issued as soon as Friday, Nov. 14.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services announced Thursday that the agency has received authorization to begin issuing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the month of November.

The legislation includes funding for SNAP food aid and other programs while ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers. But it fails to fund expiring health care subsidies Democrats have been fighting for, pushing that debate off for a vote next month.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 1, 2025: we look at the federal government shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, how the state is responding, and how it will affect 560,000 South Carolinians; Republican gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Alan Wilson rolled out his law and order platform; state Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson jumps into the race for governor; and more!

On Friday, a federal judge ordered the release of contingency funds to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments. Even with that kind of step, the stress of the moment and questions about tomorrow weigh heavy on some South Carolinians when they think of safety net programs.

Food banks, which are not state-funded resources, largely rely on philanthropy and their own wallets. The banks were calling on South Carolinians and their good will to help feed people beyond the fund drive. And the generosity will need to trickle down to food pantries and restaurants.

Food assistance workers in Cherokee County are bracing for increased need as the month-old federal government shutdown hovers over the future of SNAP.

Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is championing private donations to the One SC Fund to help mitigate a looming SNAP funding crisis. State Democrats say the plan is something, but nowhere near a solution.