South Carolina SNAP Food Choices Have Changed: What You Need to Know

 

If you receive SNAP benefits in South Carolina, or help individuals and families access SNAP, there are important changes to know when shopping for food.

South Carolina’s Healthy Food Choice Project changes which foods and beverages can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While certain items are now restricted, many of the foods families regularly purchase with SNAP are still eligible.

Understanding what has changed and what hasn’t can help you feel more prepared the next time you shop.

 

What Can I Still Buy with SNAP?

The good news is that many everyday grocery items can still be purchased with SNAP benefits, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry and seafood
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Baking items
• Non-alcoholic beverages (restrictions apply)
• Other eligible grocery staples

There are important exceptions when it comes to beverages. SNAP benefits can still be used to purchase certain beverages, including:

• Diet and zero-sugar soft drinks
• Beverages containing milk, milk products or milk substitutes
• Beverages made with at least 50% natural fruit or vegetable juice with no added caloric sweetener
• Infant and baby formula
• Sports and rehydration drinks
• Carbonated water
• Beverages considered medically necessary sources of nutrition

Other foods such as protein bars, granola bars, cookies, cakes, crackers, muffins, brownies, pastries and bread are also not classified as candy under the new restrictions and can continue to be purchased with SNAP.

What Can No Longer Be Purchased with SNAP?

The new guidelines focus on certain products that fall into four main categories:

• Candy
• Soft drinks containing sugar
• Sweetened beverages
• Energy drinks

This can include products such as chocolate bars, gummies, licorice, and hard candies, along with certain sweetened teas, fruit punches, lemonades, and sweetened coffee beverages.

How Do I Know If a Product Is Eligible?

Because there are exceptions within some of these categories, a product is not necessarily ineligible simply because it appears to fall into one of them. Some products may be easier to identify than others. When shopping, pay attention to product information and any guidance provided by the retailer.

For beverages, checking the ingredient list can also help you determine whether a product contains added caloric sweeteners. If you are unsure whether a specific food or beverage can be purchased with SNAP, check the latest guidance from the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) at healthyfood.sc.gov.

What Else Should SNAP Clients Know?

The most important thing to remember is that SNAP can still be used to purchase many of the everyday foods you already buy for yourself and your family.

The changes primarily affect certain types of candy, soft drinks, sweetened beverages, and energy drinks. Knowing about these changes before you shop can help you plan your grocery list and avoid surprises at checkout.

Helping Clients Understand the Changes

If you are an SC Thrive partner or work with individuals and families who receive SNAP, you can help make these changes easier to understand.

When talking with clients, explain both sides of the change. Make sure clients understand which products are now restricted while also reassuring them that many everyday foods remain eligible for purchase with SNAP.

Because there are exceptions within some of the restricted categories, avoid assuming whether a specific product is eligible. Instead, encourage clients to review official guidance from South Carolina DSS when questions arise about a particular product.

Need Help with SNAP?

Changes to SNAP can be confusing, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. SC Thrive and our partner sites across South Carolina can help you understand SNAP and navigate the application process.

Ready to get started? Connect with an SC Thrive partner site near you for assistance, or call the SC Thrive Contact Center at 800-726-8774 for help.

For the latest information about which foods and beverages can be purchased with SNAP, visit the South Carolina Department of Social Services Healthy Food Choice Project.

Want to Learn More About SNAP?

 

If your organization helps individuals and families access resources, SC Thrive also offers SNAP 101 training for organizations and their staff. To learn more or request a training, contact our Training Team at training@scthrive.org.