SC residents to get partial payment to replace food spoiled during Helene

In participating states, low-income families will receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to buy groceries, beginning in the summer of 2024. Shown is a sign at a grocery store noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards, on Dec. 4, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

COLUMBIA — South Carolinians in 28 counties who rely on food benefits can expect more money in their accounts by Tuesday to replace spoiled food after Helene caused widespread power outages, according to the state Department of Social Services.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will automatically provide 55% of last month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to people living in the counties where more than half the population lost power for more than four hours, the department said in a news release.

People in those counties do not have to do anything to receive the additional benefits. The money will automatically appear on their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards.

Anyone in the rest of the state who lost power can apply for the refund individually by filling out a form and providing proof that their home was affected by power outages. Proof can include a newspaper article about the incident, a letter from the Red Cross or a food bank or a website printout showing the power outage, or a letter from a landlord, insurance company or electric company, according to the news release.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 26.

Because of the storm, people using the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program will have an extra month to use their $50 vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead of having until Oct. 15, seniors will have until Nov. 15, the Department of Social Services said in a Monday news release.