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South Carolina EBT news
Reviewed South Carolina-specific EBT and SNAP news items about benefit timing, eligibility, and program rules.
Updated on: October 11, 2026
Independent information tool. Not a government website.
South Carolina DSS says that beginning November 1, 2026, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks with added sugar, and other sweetened beverages will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Diet or zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowable purchases.
South Carolina’s USDA-approved SNAP food restriction waiver starts November 1, 2026 and restricts SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.
USDA’s SNAP Food Restriction Waiver page lists South Carolina’s target implementation date as August 31, 2026, meaning the restriction is active during September; it restricts SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.
South Carolina delayed its Healthy Food SC project after USDA asked the state to postpone implementation from Aug. 31 to Nov. 1, 2026. The project would exclude candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from SNAP-eligible purchases; diet and zero-sugar soft drinks would remain allowed.
South Carolina’s Healthy Food Choice SNAP project restricts purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. The restriction began August 31, 2026, and is actively affecting SNAP purchases during September and October 2026.
USDA lists South Carolina’s approved SNAP food restriction waiver with an August 31, 2026 target implementation date, restricting purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages; these restrictions remain active during the September 1 through October 31 news window.
South Carolina DSS announced that USDA requested postponement of the Healthy Food SC demonstration project for SNAP households. The project had been prepared to begin August 31, 2026, but the new implementation date is November 1, 2026, meaning the purchase-rule change remains on hold during September and October.
South Carolina’s approved SNAP food restriction waiver has a target implementation date of August 31, 2026. The waiver restricts SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.
South Carolina’s planned SNAP purchase restrictions were set to begin August 31, 2026, blocking SNAP purchases of candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages. A court order delayed implementation while the state gathers more public comment.
Beginning August 31, 2026, South Carolina SNAP benefits may no longer be used to purchase candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages. The state says the restrictions apply to all SNAP-authorized retailers in South Carolina and to all SNAP households shopping in the state; diet or zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowable.
South Carolina DSS postponed the Healthy Food SC SNAP demonstration project at USDA’s request. The program had been scheduled to start Aug. 31, 2026, but the new launch date is Nov. 1, 2026; when active, it will block SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, sodas, and other sweetened beverages, while diet and zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowed.
Forage posted scheduled processor maintenance affecting South Carolina on August 20, August 23, August 25, and September 17, 2026. The notices say EBT processing may be impacted, with expected interruptions ranging from about 10 minutes to as long as 1 hour depending on the maintenance window.
South Carolina’s Healthy Food Choice Project begins August 31, 2026. SNAP benefits may no longer be used in South Carolina to buy candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. Diet or zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowable SNAP purchases.
USDA approved South Carolina’s SNAP food restriction waiver for two years, effective August 31, 2026. The waiver excludes candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
South Carolina’s SNAP waiver is scheduled to take effect August 31, 2026, restricting purchases of candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages with SNAP benefits. The restriction excludes items such as milk or milk substitutes, beverages with at least 50% fruit/vegetable juice, infant formula, sports or rehydration beverages, carbonated water, and certain medical-use beverages.