As previously announced on October 1st, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that SNAP benefits will be paid to approved and qualified households for October 2025 during the federal government shutdown, based on guidance received by SCDSS. With the continued federal government shutdown, there may be no SNAP benefits paid for November 2025. On October 10, 2025, SCDSS received notification from USDA instructing SCDSS to hold November 2025 SNAP issuance files until further notice. Based on recent issuance data, we understand that over 260,000 households in South Carolina rely on these benefits to supplement their family’s monthly food purchasing power. Until there is a resolution in Washington, D.C. and the federal government is funded and reopens, SCDSS will not be able to provide the federally funded benefits to new and on-going SNAP households until further notice.
SCDSS is alerting the public out of an abundance of caution because the agency wants South Carolina families to be prepared if the federal shutdown continues. If and when the federal shutdown ends and the agency receives additional guidance from the USDA on future monthly or partial disbursements, information will be shared with SNAP households and the public at large.
SNAP households can continue using your EBT card with existing funds during the federal government shutdown at approved SNAP retailers. Budget carefully any remaining funds from previous months on your EBT card and look to local food banks and food pantries for assistance.