February SNAP benefits will be issued early

Posted

FROM STAFF REPORTS

South Carolina Department of Social Services will issue February Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on Thursday for an estimated 231,000 households that received a benefit in January and are eligible for ongoing benefits in February.

This is not a bonus payment and SNAP recipients will not receive another benefit in February, even if the federal government reopens, states a release from DSS.

Households are strongly encouraged to carefully plan and budget benefits accordingly.

DSS has been instructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue to accept and process new applications and recertifications as normal.

The majority of recipients whose SNAP benefits are due for recertification this month will not be included in Thursday's issuance. Any SNAP recipient whose recertification is approved after today will receive his February benefits on the normal monthly issuance date in February.

All program rules, including verification of income, are not waived because of this early issuance process.

Questions can be directed to the local DSS office at (800) 616-1309 or call DSS Connect at 1 (800) 616-1309.