Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of South Carolina and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability. For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $11,677 if one person lives in the household; $15,757 if two people live in the household; $19,849 if three people live in the household; $23,929 if four people live in the household; $28,009, if five people live in the household; $32,089 if six people live in the household; $36,169 if seven people live in the household; or $40,249 if more than seven people live in the household.

Description
The Food Stamp Program has served as the foundation of America's national nutrition safety net, working to end hunger and improve the health of low-income people by helping families buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. In South Carolina over 100,000 households depend on the Food Stamp Program each month to get the food they need for good health. Food Stamp Program benefits give a person or family more buying power at the grocery store. The benefits are not intended to cover all of a family's food costs, but will lessen the amount of income that must be used toward groceries each month. Families, people living alone, and people living with roommates use food stamps. People who are homeless can get food stamps, too. People of all ages use food stamps.

Managing organization
South Carolina http://www.myscgov.com

Program contact information & web resources
For more information on the South Carolina Food Stamp program and instructions on how to apply, please visit:
http://www.healthyhelpings.org/food_stamp.htm

You can also identify and contact your local county Department of Social Service (DSS) office by checking:
http://www.state.sc.us/dss/contact/index.html

Please call the Food-Stamp hotline to speak with a DSS representative:
800-768-5700

E-mail inquiries can be sent to:

Email: AskDSS@dss.state.sc.us