SOUTH CAROLINA
Find out how much assistance your family may receive in South Carolina, based on your income.
The benefits listed below are estimates of what a single-parent family of two with no income can expect to receive in South Carolina, including Medicaid.
This is an unofficial benefits estimator and not an application. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application.
South Carolina Earned Income Tax Credit
South Carolina has established a state’s non-refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to “piggyback” off the federal credit, which makes it the 27th state to do so.
Eligible taxpayers in South Carolina can claim a non-refundable state EITC, with a credit worth 125% of the federal credit beginning in tax year 2023.
How much is South Carolina Earned Income Credit?
To receive the credit, you must:
- first claim the EITC on your federal income tax returns. If you are not eligible for the federal credit, you cannot claim the state credit.
- be a full-year resident of South Carolina.
- claim the credit when filing your South Carolina Individual Income Tax return online or by paper (TC-60).
The credit provides a tax break for many low-wage South Carolinians and their families, but because it’s non-refundable, those who pay little to no state income tax get little to no benefit from the credit.
South Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
South Carolina TANF is a time-limited program that assists very low-income families with dependent children who could not afford even basic necessities.
In South Carolina, most TANF benefits are limited to 24 months in a 10 year time period. The time limit may be extended due to hardship reasons, if specific criteria is met.
What is the income limit for TANF in South Carolina?
The income threshold for TANF in South Carolina is set at 50% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of three earning $12,910 or less may qualify for TANF.
How do I apply for TANF in South Carolina?
You may apply for TANF benefits in person at your local DSS county office or online through SCCES. If you are a first time user, you need to create a new account.
South Carolina SNAP
South Carolina SNAP helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with cash assistance to buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.
Eligibility is based on 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. For example, a single mother of two whose gross monthly income is $2,797 or less may qualify for benefits.
How do I apply for food stamps in SC?
To apply for SNAP in South Carolina, you may print and fill out an application and return it to your local DSS county office or apply online with SCCES.
If you are accepted into the program, your SNAP benefits are automatically deposited to your South Carolina EBT Card on the same day of each month you are eligible.
For more information on how to apply, please call
(800) 616-1309
South Carolina Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
South Carolina’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children up to the age of five.
It provides nutritious foods along with nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and other services at no cost to South Carolina families who qualify.
What is the income limit for WIC in South Carolina?
WIC is open to South Carolina families with a household income at or below 185% of the poverty level or those who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF or Medicaid programs.
| Family Size | ANNUAL LIMIT | MONTLY LIMIT | WEEKLY LIMIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,861 | $2,322 | $536 |
| 2 | $37,814 | $3,151 | $727 |
| 3 | $47,767 | $3,981 | $919 |
| 4 | $57,720 | $4,810 | $1,110 |
| 5 | $67,673 | $5,639 | $1,301 |
| 6 | $77,626 | $6,469 | $1,493 |
| 7 | $87,579 | $7,298 | $1,684 |
| 8 | $97,532 | $8,128 | $1,876 |
How do I apply for WIC in South Carolina?
Call (855) 472-3432 to make an appointment, or create an account and begin the application process online using the WIC pre-application.
South Carolina Healthy Connections
Healthy Connections is free or low cost public health insurance for low-income South Carolinians who could not otherwise afford it — including children from low-income families and pregnant women.
As South Carolina is not expanding Medicaid coverage, eligibility is limited to parents with incomes below 67% of poverty. That’s about $17,299 for a family of three.
Pregnant women are covered up to 199% of poverty and may be able to receive medical care while waiting for their application to be processed.
What is the income limit for Medicaid in South Carolina?
| SC Medicaid | 143% | 199% | 67% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,536 | $29,969 | $10,090 |
| 2 | $29,229 | $40,676 | $13,695 |
| 3 | $36,923 | $51,382 | $17,299 |
| 4 | $44,616 | $62,088 | $20,904 |
| 5 | $52,309 | $72,794 | $24,509 |
| 6 | $60,003 | $83,500 | $28,113 |
| 7 | $67,696 | $94,207 | $31,718 |
| 8 | $75,390 | $104,913 | $35,322 |
How do I apply for Medicaid in South Carolina?
South Carolinians can apply for Medicaid online, in person, or through the mail. Call (888) 549-0820 or visit apply.scdhhs.gov to submit your application online.
South Carolina Healthy Connections Kids
Healthy Connections Kids is a health insurance program for children up to age 19 in South Carolina who are not eligible for Medicaid and who are uninsured.
It provides free health care to children in families with income below 213% of the poverty guidelines. The program does not provide any coverage for the adults.
How do I apply for Healthy Connections Kids in SC?
Application for Healthy Connections Kids can also be done via apply.scdhhs.gov or call (888) 549-0820 to find out if your child qualifies for CHIP.
South Carolina Child Care Scholarship Program
Subsidized child care in South Carolina is provided through the Child Care Scholarship Program that helps low income families afford quality child care.
Eligible families can choose their own child care provider. The program will reimburse child care providers up to a certain amount based on their quality level.
The scholarship amount the family is eligible for can vary, but will be determined by factors including the provider’s tuition rate, their ABC Quality level and the child’s age.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in South Carolina?
Starting on October 1, families must be at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) to qualify for an SC Child Care Scholarship. For a family of three, that’s about $5,841 or less per month.
How do I apply for child care assistance in South Carolina?
Child care scholarship eligibility requirements and online applications are available in the DSS Benefits Portal.
If you need help finding available child care, please contact the South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network at (888) 335-1002.
Child Care Operations Center
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on state holidays
(800) 476-0199
South Carolina Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
South Carolina LIHEAP assists eligible low-income households in South Carolina in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling by making direct payments to their gas or electric utility companies.
Priority is given those who may be elderly, disabled, have families with children, and/or have the highest energy consumption.
LIHEAP is not provided on a monthly basis. Depending on the availability of fund in your county, you may receive assistance once a year or up to three times a year, with a maximum amount of $850 per household in a 12-month period.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in SC?
In order to apply for LIHEAP, you will have to visit your local county office in person. When applying, be sure to bring along recent copies of your utility bills with you.
South Carolina Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.
South Carolina LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income households and families who have fallen behind on their water and wastewater bills.
Households eligible for LIHWAP benefits will have a one-time credit of up to $1,000 applied to their water utilities account.
Priority is given to households facing the threat of disconnection, or those that have already been disconnected.
How do I get help paying my water bill in SC?
South Carolina’s LIHWAP is administered by Community Action Agencies (CAAs) currently accepting LIHWAP applications and determine benefit eligibility.
Application must be done in person through the local agency that administers the program in your county.
South Carolina Unemployment Insurance
South Carolina Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who lost their job through no fault of their own.
In South Carolina, the maximum weekly compensation amount is $326. Eligible claimants may receive up to 20 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits through the state.
To be monetarily eligible for benefits in South Carolina, you must, prior to filing a claim,
- have earned at least $4,455 in wages in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters,
- have earned at least $1,092 in the highest quarter,
- have total base period earnings of not less than 1.5 times the earnings in the highest quarter.
How do I file for unemployment in South Carolina?
Initial claims and weekly certification can be filed online through MyBenefits or by the Telclaim number at (866) 831-1724.
Within two weeks of submitting your initial claim, you must register for work on SC Works Online Services to receive your payment and conduct at least two (2) verifiable job searches per week to remain eligible.
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
South Carolina Need-based Grant provides financial aid to South Carolina’s neediest students. Eligible student may receive up to $3,500 annually if enrolled full-time or up to $1,750 annually if enrolled part-time.
In order to qualify for consideration for a South Carolina Need-based Grant, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form — preferably as soon as possible after October 1st of each academic year.