South Carolina SNAP (Food Stamps): 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO South Carolina
South Carolina SNAP does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new South Carolina resident applies fresh through South Carolina Department of Social Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on South Carolina's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving South Carolina
Leaving South Carolina ends your South Carolina SNAP case — no state will take it over. Close the case with South Carolina Department of Social Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: South Carolina Department of Social Services ↗ (application page)
South Carolina SNAP at a glance
| Program name | South Carolina SNAP |
|---|---|
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 130% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days |
South Carolina SNAP income limits by household size (FY2027)
These limits apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. South Carolina uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which sets its gross income limit at 130% of the federal poverty level.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (130% FPL) | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,729 | $306 |
| 2 people | $2,345 | $562 |
| 3 people | $2,960 | $808 |
| 4 people | $3,575 | $1,023 |
| 5 people | $4,191 | $1,217 |
| 6 people | $4,806 | $1,463 |
| 7 people | $5,421 | $1,616 |
| 8 people | $6,037 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$616 | +$225 |
- Gross limits match USDA's published FY2027 130% table (130% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, 48 contiguous states and DC, ÷ 12, rounded up). Maximum benefits are USDA's published FY2027 allotments.
- BBCE usually relaxes or removes the asset test; ask South Carolina Department of Social Services for South Carolina's rule. A household with a member 60+ or disabled whose income is above this limit can still qualify under the regular federal net-income test. Benefit amounts are calculated from net income, so most households get less than the maximum.
Federal sources: USDA SNAP FY2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (published 2026-08-21) · HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for SNAP in South Carolina
Apply with South Carolina Department of Social Services online at benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in South Carolina?
South Carolina's gross income limit is 130% of the federal poverty level: $1,729 a month for one person and $3,575 for a household of four, for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Can I use my South Carolina EBT card in another state?
Yes. SNAP EBT cards work at authorized stores in every state, so you can spend benefits already on the card after you move. But you can only receive SNAP from the state you live in: report the move to South Carolina Department of Social Services, then apply in your new state.
How do I apply for SNAP in South Carolina?
Apply with South Carolina Department of Social Services online at benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov. Processing time: federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Who runs SNAP in South Carolina?
South Carolina Department of Social Services. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does South Carolina make new residents wait for SNAP?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. You apply as soon as you live in South Carolina; eligibility is decided on South Carolina's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving South Carolina?
Report your move to SC DSS (via the SC DSS Benefits Portal, 1-800-616-1309, or your county office) and ask to close your SNAP case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Every move involving South Carolina
From South Carolina to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To South Carolina from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in South Carolina
- Medicaid in South Carolina
- WIC in South Carolina
- Unemployment in South Carolina
- TANF in South Carolina
- SNAP in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — South Carolina — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08
- SC DSS SNAP — accessed 2026-08-08