All states
South Carolina EBT news
Reviewed South Carolina-specific EBT and SNAP news items about benefit timing, eligibility, and program rules.
Updated on: October 25, 2026
Independent information tool. Not a government website.
South Carolina DSS said USDA requested postponement of the Healthy Food SC SNAP demonstration project from its planned August 31, 2026 start date to a new implementation date of November 1, 2026. When launched, the program will prevent SNAP benefits from being used for items such as candy, energy drinks, sodas, and other sweetened beverages.
South Carolina DSS says implementation of the Healthy Food SC SNAP demonstration project was postponed to November 1, 2026. When launched, the project will restrict SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages.
South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC pilot, which will restrict SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, sodas, and other sweetened beverages, was delayed at the request of the federal government and is now scheduled to begin November 1, 2026.
South Carolina DSS says USDA instructed the state to postpone the Healthy Food SC demonstration project, with a revised implementation date of November 1, 2026. The project excludes candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from eligible SNAP purchases.
South Carolina DSS postponed the Healthy Food SC demonstration project at USDA’s request, moving the launch from August 31, 2026, to November 1, 2026. The project restricts SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.
USDA lists South Carolina’s SNAP food restriction waiver with a November 1, 2026 implementation date, restricting purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.
South Carolina DSS said USDA requested postponement of the Healthy Food SC SNAP demonstration project from its planned August 31, 2026 start date to a new implementation date of November 1, 2026. When launched, the program will prevent SNAP benefits from being used for items such as candy, energy drinks, sodas, and other sweetened beverages.
South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC SNAP restriction program is on hold until November at the request of the federal government. Starting November 1, 2026, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to purchase candy, energy drinks, sodas, and other sweetened beverages using SNAP benefits.
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.
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.
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.