55% More SNAP Benefits for South Carolina Residents After Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene hit South Carolina, thousands of low-income families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faced a tough situation. Long power outages caused many to lose food stored in their refrigerators and freezers. To help, the government is providing extra SNAP benefits to affected families, ensuring they can replace lost food quickly and efficiently.

What Is SNAP and How Does It Help in Disasters?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial help to low-income individuals and families to buy food. During disasters like Hurricane Helene, SNAP becomes even more essential by offering additional benefits. These substitute benefits are designed to replace perishable foods lost due to power outages or other damages caused by the disaster.

Which Counties Are Receiving Extra Benefits?

Residents of the following counties will automatically receive extra SNAP benefits due to the power outages caused by Hurricane Helene:

• Aiken
• Allendale
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Edgefield
• McCormick
• Orangeburg
• Saluda

These areas experienced prolonged power outages, with many homes suffering food spoilage. Local leaders, such as Bamberg County Council President Evert Comer Jr., emphasized how vital this assistance is for affected communities.

How Does the Replacement Process Work?

The process is straightforward for eligible families:

• Recipients will receive an additional 55% of their September SNAP benefits, automatically deposited onto their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.
• There is no need to apply or submit extra paperwork.

The percentage was determined based on federal guidelines and reflects the extent of damage caused by the power outages.

Why Is This Assistance Necessary?

Hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages, leaving many families without perishable food stored in their fridges or freezers. To address this critical issue, state and federal governments activated SNAP replacement benefits for affected counties. This assistance is triggered when over half the population in a county loses power for extended periods due to a disaster. It ensures families can quickly replace lost food and avoid additional financial hardship during recovery.

What If You Don’t Receive the Extra Benefits?

If you live in one of the listed counties and don’t see the additional SNAP benefits on your EBT card, follow these steps:

1. Check your information with the South Carolina Department of Social Services to ensure accuracy.
2. If your details are correct and you still don’t see the benefits, contact your local SNAP office for assistance.

This process is automatic, so most recipients won’t need to take action. However, local officials are available to help resolve any issues.

The Importance of SNAP During Disasters

SNAP plays a critical role in ensuring families have access to food, even during challenging times like Hurricane Helene. The ability to adapt quickly—such as providing replacement benefits—demonstrates how vital this program is in disaster recovery. While Hurricane Helene caused significant damage, the government’s swift response through SNAP replacement benefits helps ease the burden on low-income families, ensuring they have the resources they need to rebuild and recover.

Note: Thanks for visiting our website. We are not officials and whatever information we are giving is according to the expected dates. Information will be confirmed in upcoming updates. thank you.

Disclaimer- We are committed to fair and transparent journalism. Our Journalists verify all details before publishing any news. For any issues with our content, please contact us via email.