In South Carolina, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, also known as food stamps, deposits are scheduled on specific days of the month. However, there are exceptions to this schedule. If the regular deposit date falls on a holiday or a weekend, the funds will be deposited on the first business day prior to the scheduled date. Since Sundays are considered non-business days, if the scheduled deposit date falls on a Sunday, the EBT cards in South Carolina will receive the funds on the preceding Friday. This ensures that individuals and families relying on food stamps have access to their benefits promptly, even if their regular deposit day falls on a day when banks are closed.
EBT Card Schedule
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are deposited onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on a specific schedule each month. In South Carolina, the EBT card deposit schedule for 2023 is as follows:
- January: Friday, January 20
- February: Friday, February 17
- March: Friday, March 17
- April: Saturday, April 15
- May: Monday, May 15
- June: Friday, June 16
- July: Friday, July 21
- August: Monday, August 21
- September: Friday, September 15
- October: Saturday, October 14
- November: Wednesday, November 15
- December: Friday, December 15
If your scheduled deposit date falls on a holiday, you will receive your benefits on the business day before the holiday.
South Carolina Holidays
The following are the holidays observed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) that may affect EBT card deposits:
|
Holiday |
Date in 2023 |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, January 1 |
|
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
Monday, January 16 |
|
President’s Day |
Monday, February 20 |
|
Good Friday |
Friday, April 7 |
|
Memorial Day |
Monday, May 29 |
|
Independence Day |
Tuesday, July 4 |
|
Labor Day |
Monday, September 4 |
|
Thanksgiving Day |
Thursday, November 23 |
|
Christmas Day |
Monday, December 25 |
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the DSS office at 1-888-796-4447.
Emergency Allotments
In response to the economic hardships caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government temporarily increased the amount of food stamp (SNAP) benefits issued to all eligible households in South Carolina. This emergency allotment program provides additional funds to help families purchase nutritious food. Emergency allotment benefits are typically deposited on the same day as a household’s regular SNAP benefits.
Weekend Deposits
South Carolina’s system automatically deposits SNAP benefits and emergency allotments on the first of the month or the following business day if the first falls on a holiday or weekend. If the first of the month falls on a Saturday or Sunday, benefits are released on the preceding Friday, regardless of whether it is a business day. Therefore, if the first of the month is on a Sunday in South Carolina, SNAP benefits and emergency allotments will be deposited on the previous Friday.
| Date of Deposit | Benefit Type |
|---|---|
| Friday, July 28th | Regular SNAP Benefits |
| Friday, July 28th | Emergency Allotments |
Direct Deposit vs. Physical EBT Card
In South Carolina, you can choose to receive your food stamp benefits either through direct deposit or a physical EBT card. Here are the key differences between the two options:
- Direct Deposit: With direct deposit, your food stamp benefits are electronically transferred into your bank account on the scheduled deposit date. This option is convenient and secure, as you don’t have to worry about carrying around a physical card or remembering to use it.
- Physical EBT Card: With a physical EBT card, you receive a plastic card that you can use to purchase food at authorized retailers. You can also use the card to withdraw cash from your benefits account at ATMs. The physical EBT card is a good option if you do not have a bank account or if you prefer to use cash.
Benefits Deposit Schedule
In South Carolina, food stamp benefits are deposited on a monthly schedule. The exact deposit date depends on the last digit of your Social Security number. Here is the deposit schedule:
| Last Digit of SSN | Deposit Date |
|---|---|
| 0, 1 | 1st of the month |
| 2, 3 | 3rd of the month |
| 4, 5 | 10th of the month |
| 6, 7 | 15th of the month |
| 8, 9 | 20th of the month |
If the scheduled deposit date falls on a holiday or weekend, your benefits will be deposited on the next business day.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about your food stamp benefits, you can contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services at 1-888-544-3977.
Contacting the South Carolina Department of Social Services
If you live in South Carolina and have questions about food stamps, you can contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) in several ways:
- Phone: You can call the DSS at 1-888-768-8448.
- Email: You can email the DSS at [email protected].
- Online: You can visit the DSS website at https://dss.sc.gov.
The DSS is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Well, there you have it, folks! I hope this article has answered all your burning questions about when those food stamps hit your account in the Palmetto State. Remember, the exact timing can vary a bit depending on your county and financial institution, but you can generally expect that direct deposits will be made between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM on the scheduled date. If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to the South Carolina Department of Social Services for assistance. Thanks for reading, y’all! Be sure to check back for more informative articles about the ins and outs of living in the great state of South Carolina.