Good News for South Carolina Families Affected by Hurricane Helene
Columbia, S.C. – We have some *encouraging updates* for thousands of families in South Carolina who experienced food loss due to power outages from Hurricane Helene. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) announced new measures to help those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the Food Stamp Program.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave the green light for DSS to issue replacement benefits to recipients in 28 counties impacted by the storm. It’s a relief that comes just in time since many families lost perishable food items during the long power outages caused by the hurricane.
Details You Need to Know
In a friendly interview, Connelly-Anne Ragley, the Chief External Affairs Officer at DSS, expressed her gratitude to the electric utilities and county administrators who worked tirelessly to gather necessary information for the federal government. She emphasized, “These replacement benefits are 100 percent federally funded!”
So, how can families take advantage of these replacement benefits? Well, it’s pretty straightforward! Eligible residents must already be approved for SNAP and live in one of the listed counties where at least 50% of the population faced power outages lasting more than four hours. For those families residing in the affected areas, changes will be made automatically to their EBT cards, allowing access to *replacement benefits covering 55% of their September assistance.*
Replacement Benefits Timeline
Those eligible can expect to see these benefits on their EBT cards as early as next week, specifically by Tuesday, October 15. “We hope that this process will simplify things for families in need,” Ragley mentioned. She also urged families not to call local county DSS offices for updates, as doing so won’t speed up the process.
If clients live in one of the *18 counties* not included in the automatic waiver, they still have options! They can apply for individual assistance. To do that, they’ll need to provide a form along with proof of the power outage. This could be a letter from a landlord, an insurance company, or even a utility provider. The deadline for those applications has been extended to October 26.
Community Support Efforts
While this is a huge help for many, it’s also crucial to know that support is available for those who may not be eligible for SNAP. Organizations like the United Way of the Midlands are stepping up during this tough time. They’ve launched the Neighbors United Drive to replenish local food pantries and provide aid to areas in the western part of the state that were hardest hit by Helene.
Jennifer Moore, the VP of Community Impact at the United Way, noted, “From what we’ve seen with previous disasters, we can do so much more when we work together.” The Neighbors United Drive runs through Monday, October 14. If you want to help, you can drop off nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products at their office located at 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia on Monday between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. Monetary donations are also welcome!
Services from Harvest Hope
Another local champion, Harvest Hope, South Carolina’s largest food bank, is poised to assist those facing food insecurity. According to Harvest Hope CEO Erinn Rowe, crises like Hurricane Helene can create significant challenges for families. The organization is open daily from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. to provide emergency food support to anyone in need.
As the community comes together to support one another after such a challenging event, it’s heartening to see the resilience and generosity of South Carolinians. Stay informed and connected, and remember, help is out there for those who need it.
