Columbia, S.C. – Support for SNAP Recipients After Hurricane Helene
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands of residents in Columbia and surrounding areas are receiving a helping hand from the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS). If you are one of the many SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients in South Carolina who faced challenges due to the storm, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn about some critical assistance heading your way.
Automatic Replacement Benefits Approved
Thanks to the approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the DSS will automatically issue replacement SNAP benefits for those affected. This measure comes as part of a response to the significant impact of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread power outages, disrupting lives and access to food.
Specifically, residents in counties where over 50% of the total population experienced a power outage lasting more than 4 hours during the hurricane will benefit from this automatic issuance. There’s no need for you to submit a separate request; the process has been designed to make it easier for families to get the help they need as quickly as possible.
Counties Set to Receive Assistance
Are you in one of the counties listed below? If so, you’ll be delighted to know you’ll be automatically receiving a replacement of 55% of your September SNAP benefits directly to your EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card:
- County 1
- County 2
- County 3
- County 4
- More counties can be added here
The DSS plans to send these replacement benefits to recipients’ EBT cards electronically on or before Tuesday, October 15. This should bring some much-needed relief to those who may have experienced food loss due to the storm.
What If Your County Isn’t on the List?
For SNAP recipients living in counties not covered by the federal mass replacement waiver, don’t worry! You still have options. You can apply individually for replacements if you experienced food loss due to Hurricane Helene.
Make sure to act quickly, though. Households in these excluded counties have until October 26 to report any food loss. This process can be initiated by downloading and completing an Affidavit of Loss Due To A Household Misfortune (DSS Form 1634B), which you can find on the South Carolina Department of Social Services website.
A Community Coming Together
In these challenging times, it’s heartwarming to see the community and state agencies come together to ensure that those in need are supported. The importance of food security cannot be overstated, especially after a natural disaster shakes up the normalcy of life. The DSS is committed to providing assistance and ensuring that families can focus on recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from.
So, feel free to check your EBT card around the scheduled date and keep an eye out for updates from the DSS regarding your benefits. The winds of Hurricane Helene may have caused disruption, but with these efforts, South Carolina is showing it stands united in support of its residents.
Stay safe, and remember, help is on the way!
