Important Information About SNAP (Food Stamps) During the Government Shut Down

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February SNAP benefits will be received early—on January 17th—because of the federal government shutdown.

Yesterday afternoon the SC Department of Social Services released important information related to SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) for February that will affect about 231,000 households in our state.

This information is urgent for SNAP beneficiaries in our state. If you, or someone you know, receives SNAP benefits, please help us spread this important information.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] for additional information.


If you receive SNAP (formerly food stamps), here’s what you need to know while the federal government is shut down:

  • Your February benefits may be posted on your EBT card on January 17.
  • If you receive your benefits early: this is not a bonus payment. You will not receive another benefit in February, even if the shutdown ends.
  • Please plan and budget your SNAP benefits to last as much of February as possible.
  • Households recertified for SNAP after January 17 will receive benefits on the normal date in February.

New applications and recertifications will continue to be processed as normal.

What happens in March?
If the partial federal government shutdown continues, we don’t know how that will impact your SNAP benefits. As soon as we know, we will get the word out.

Local food pantries and free feeding sites may be able to help with food needs. Please visit the Harvest Hope Food Bank’s website at www.harvesthope.org/ to search statewide for assistance in your area.

Please visit the South Carolina Department of Social Services website at https://dss.sc.gov/ or call DSS at 1-800-616-1309 for more information on SNAP.


Shutdown SNAP Flyer by on Scribd


Si recibe SNAP (anteriormente, cupones de alimentos), esto es lo que necesita saber mientras el gobierno federal está cerrado:

  • Sus beneficios de febrero pueden publicarse en su tarjeta EBT el 17 de enero.
  • Si recibe sus beneficios temprano: esto no es un pago de bonificación. No recibirá otro beneficio en febrero, aun si se finaliza el cierre.
  • Planifique y presupueste sus beneficios de SNAP para que duren lo más que sea posible de febrero.
  • Hogares recertificados para SNAP después del 17 de enero recibirán beneficios en la fecha normal en febrero.

Nuevas solicitudes y recertificaciones continuarán siendo procesadas normalmente.

¿Qué pasa en marzo?
Si el cierre parcial del gobierno federal continúa, no sabemos cómo afectará eso a sus beneficios de SNAP. Tan pronto como lo sepamos, correremos la voz.

Despensas locales de alimentos y los sitios de alimentación gratuita pueden ayudar con las necesidades alimentarias. Visite el sitio web del banco de alimentos Harvest Hope en www.harvesthope.org/ para buscar a nivel estatal asistencia en su área.

Visite el sitio web del Departamento de Servicios Sociales de Carolina del Sur (DSS) en https://dss.sc.gov/ o llame al DSS al 1-800-616-1309 para obtener más información sobre SNAP.

Shutdown SNAP Flyer-ES by on Scribd