Hundreds of thousands of South Carolina residents impacted by Hurricane Helene may soon receive financial relief for groceries through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). The program is designed to aid lower-to-moderate income residents in 28 counties who experienced income loss or property damage due to the hurricane.
Eligible residents in York County can pre-register for D-SNAP assistance online during Phase One, from November 11 to November 15, 2024. Chester County residents will have their chance to pre-register in Phase Two, from November 17 to November 21, 2024. Lancaster County is not listed among the counties in either phase.
To qualify for D-SNAP, applicants must meet specific income guidelines and have experienced a hurricane-related loss, such as home damage or workplace closure. Food loss alone does not qualify for D-SNAP benefits. Individuals already enrolled in SNAP are not eligible for this program.
The pre-registration process requires a valid South Carolina driver’s license or ID and proof of address. Applicants can apply online and complete a phone interview, which the Department of Social Services (DSS) encourages to prevent long wait times. However, there will be in-person opportunities to apply in early December.
Approved applicants will receive a D-SNAP card within three days of approval, which can be used like a debit card at authorized SNAP retailers. For more information, visit the DSS website.
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