SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

South Carolina TANF is a time-limited program that provides temporary financial assistance and employment services to low-income families with dependent children.

The program provides a monthly stipend to help families pay for basic needs like food, housing, and utilities, as well as financial help for work-related expenses.

In South Carolina, most TANF benefits are limited to 24 months within a 10-year period. This time limit may be extended in cases of hardship if specific criteria are 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 not more than $1,138 per month may qualify for TANF.

How do I apply for TANF in South Carolina?

You may apply for TANF benefits in person at your local county office  or online through DSS Benefits Portal . If you are a first time user, you need to create a new account.

South Carolina Department of Social Services
SNAP/TANF Client Services
(800) 616-1309

South Carolina SNAP

South Carolina SNAP is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families afford the food they need for a healthier diet. The program serves families with children, older adults, people with disabilities, and working or unemployed people of all ages.

SNAP eligibility is based on 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. For instance, a single mother of two with a gross monthly income of $2,960 or less may qualify.

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 DSS Benefits Portal .

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.

South Carolina Department of Social Services
SNAP/TANF Client Services
(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 families who qualify.

What is the income limit for WIC in South Carolina?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC is available 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.¹

How long does WIC last in SC?

In South Carolina, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:

• Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
• Infants: from birth until their first birthday
• Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday

WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.

How much does WIC pay per month in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, children ages 1—4 receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.

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 Department of Health and Environmental Control
WIC Nutrition Program
Customer Service & Appointments
(855) 472‑3432

South Carolina Healthy Connections

As of January 1, 2026, “Healthy Connections Prime,” a previous plan for those with both Medicare and Medicaid, has ended, and members are being transitioned to a new Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).

Healthy Connections is South Carolina’s Medicaid program, serving eligible children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities, as well as some parents.

South Carolina has not adopted full Medicaid expansion. Adults without dependent children generally do not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone. Under the Parent/Caretaker Relatives category, applicants must live with a dependent child and have household income at or below 67% of the federal poverty level.

How do I apply for Medicaid in South Carolina?

You can apply for Medicaid online through SCDHHS Online Application Portal  or complete an application over the phone by calling (888) 549-0820.

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Member Services
(888) 549-0820

If you need help navigating the process, SC Thrive  is a non-profit partner that offers free assistance with online applications.

South Carolina Healthy Connections Prime

Healthy Connections Prime is a specialized program for seniors (65+) who are dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. It combines all benefits into a single plan for better care coordination.

As of January 1, 2026 , Healthy Connections Prime has ended. Members who were enrolled in Prime are encouraged to switch to a new Dual Special Needs Plan  (D-SNP).

These plans combine Medicare (Parts A, B, and D) and Medicaid benefits into one package, offering coordinated care, lower out-of-pocket costs, and extra benefits.

For most members, premiums, deductibles, and co-pays are $0. To find out which plans are available in your area, you can use the Medicare Plan Finder  tool.

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Member Services
(888) 549-0820

South Carolina Healthy Connections Kids

Healthy Connections Kids is a health insurance program for children up to age 19 whose families earn too much for standard Medicaid

Healthy Connections covers a wide range of medically necessary services, including:

• Doctor visits and hospital stays
• Prescription medications and medical equipment
• Vision, dental, and hearing care for children
• Behavioral health and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services
• Non-emergency medical transportation to appointments

What is the income limit for Healthy Connections Kids in SC?

Healthy Connections Kids covers children under age 19 in families with incomes at or below 213% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

How do I apply for Healthy Connections Kids in SC?

Applications for Healthy Connections Kids are available through SCDHHS Online Application Portal  or call (888) 549-0820 to find out if your child qualifies for CHIP.

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Member Services
(888) 549-0820

South Carolina Child Care Scholarship Program

According to the Department of Social Services (DSS), South Carolina paused new and renewal  child care scholarship applications starting December 1, 2025 due to a lapse in funding. On October 1, 2026, DSS launched an online wait list and re-opened the Working Families Child Care Scholarship with narrower eligibility. Families on the wait list may receive a scholarship as funding becomes available.²

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 may choose their own child care provider, and the program reimburses providers up to a set rate based on their quality level.

To remain eligible, parents must work at least 15 hours per week or be enrolled in an approved school or training program, in addition to meeting income limits.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in South Carolina?

Beginning October 1, 2026, families must have a household income at or below 55% of the State Median Income (SMI) to qualify for an SC Child Care Scholarship, and may keep it until income exceeds 85% of SMI. The new income limits apply to the Working Families Child Care Scholarship and to the protected categories.²

Under the re-opened scholarship:

• Eligible children must be ages 0–5 and not enrolled in kindergarten, and funding is limited to two children per household.
• Applicants must be working, in school, in training, or temporarily or permanently disabled, and must provide verification.
• Families pay a co-pay based on family size and gross monthly income. Families at or below 150% of the federal poverty level pay no co-pay.
• Once approved, a child receives 12 months of child care eligibility.

How do I apply for child care assistance in South Carolina?

To apply for child care assistance in South Carolina, visit the DSS Benefits Portal , where you can review eligibility requirements and submit an online application. If approved, payments are made directly to your child care provider for up to 52 weeks.

South Carolina Department of Social Services
Child Care Operations Center
(800) 476-0199

South Carolina First Steps 4K

First Steps 4K  is South Carolina’s state-funded program offering free, full-day, high-quality kindergarten (4K) for eligible 4-year-olds, focusing on school readiness and brain development.

With First Steps 4K, eligible children can attend high-quality preschool program at more than 250 locations across South Carolina, including licensed child care centers, charter schools, and private schools.

The new scholarship program, called “First Steps 4K + Siblings”, will extend free child care and after-school scholarships to any sibling, age 0—12, of an enrolled student.³

Who is eligible for First Steps 4K in SC?

To be eligible for First Steps 4K, a child must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a resident of South Carolina.
• Be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the enrollment year..
• Be eligible for Medicaid, qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, receive SNAP or TANF, experience homelessness or housing instability, or be in foster care.

How to apply for First Steps 4K in SC?

Families can apply for both First Steps 4K and the optional First Steps 4K + Siblings at SC First Steps . The 2027—2028 application will be available after January 21, 2027.

South Carolina First Steps
636 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0479

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.

LIHEAP is not provided on a monthly basis. It is typically a one-time, lump-sum payment made directly to the household’s energy vendor during a specific heating or cooling season.

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?

To apply for LIHEAP, you must visit your local county office  in person and bring along recent copies of your utility bills with you. The application period runs from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.

South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(803) 734-0662

South Carolina Tuition Grant

South Carolina Tuition Grant is a need-based program for eligible South Carolina students attending one of the 21 independent colleges and universities in the state, such as Claflin University, Charleston Southern University, and others listed on the official participating colleges page .

Students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA and meet the required academic standards may receive a maximum award of $5,000.

To be considered, you must first complete the FAFSA and list your chosen participating college in the “college choice” section of your FAFSA.

SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
(803) 896-1120

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.

To receive the credit, you must:

1. 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.
2. be a full-year resident of South Carolina.
3. claim the credit when filing your South Carolina Individual Income Tax return online or by paper (TC-60).

The credit offers a tax break for many low-wage South Carolinians and their families. However, because it is non-refundable, those who pay little to no state income tax get little to no benefit from the credit.

To claim the credit, file your South Carolina income tax return (Form SC1040) and attach Schedule SC1040TC, entering your credit amount there. You must be a full-year resident and eligible for the federal EITC.

South Carolina Department of Revenue 
(803) 898-5000