Food Stamps are a government benefit that helps low income people buy food.

You may be able to qualify for food stamps if
* you have little or now income or work for low wages and you have few resources such as bank accounts and property. (You are allowed to have a vehicle under a certain value and a home.)
* you buy and cook food for yourself and your family. You do not have to have your own address, you can share a home with someone else and still receive food stamps in some circumstances. You can even be homeless.

I WAS TURNED DOWN FOR FOOD STAMPS IN THE PAST. CAN I RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS NOW?
Even if you were turned down for food stamps in the past, you could be eligible now. Some of the laws governing the food stamp program have changed. Whether or not you have been denied before has nothing to do with your current eligibility. (Unless you were permanently sanctioned for some reason).

You can get an application at your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office. You can also get an application from your local Legal Services office, through a special project called the Food Stamps Outreach Project. If you are elderly, blind or disabled, you can also apply at your Social Security office. 

You can fill out the application with your name, address and sign it and take, mail or FAX it to your county DSS Office. The date your application is received at your DSS office is the "filing date", and, if you are approved, your food stamps will go back to that date.

You can also fill out the application completely yourself, or, get help filling it out at your Legal Services Office.

DSS will contact you to set up an appointment for you to meet with a caseworker to go over your application. You will be asked to bring certain papers to the appointment. If you are not sure what to bring, call DSS.

You can ask for an application to be mailed to you. You can send a friend or relative to talk to your caseworker. You may even be able to talk to your caseworker by phone, in some circumstances.

The amount of food stamps you can receive is based on your income. There are also deductions available.

You have a right to appeal a denial within 90 days.  You also have the right to appeal if DSS does not act on your application within 30 days (7 days in emergencies)  You can get more information and/or help with the appeal at your Legal Services office.

No. In South Carolina, food stamps come in a plastic card called an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card that you use like a bank card to buy groceries.

Talk to a food stamps worker or your local Legal Services office about this. Even if you can't get food stamps, family members born in this country may be able to get them.

Yes. However, if you are able to work you must look for work, take a job offer or go to training.

If you are 60 years old or older or have a disability you do not have to look for work. You can also claim high medical bills that are not covered by insurance as a deduction from your income.

The Legal Services Programs in South Carolina have teamed up with the Department of Social Services in a project to help more low income people in South Carolina get food stamps!

Applications for Food Stamps are available from Legal Services Offices.

If you need help filling out your application, you can get help at your Legal Services Office.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE

DISCLAIMER:All legal information and brochures are presented as a public service only, and are not intended as legal advice. The information and pamphlets are for public education only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you need legal assistance or advice on a specific problem, you should consult an attorney.

We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date indicated on each brochure. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot guarantee or promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. If the date provided is not within the past year, contact us and ask for an update.