(WSPA) – Some people who need help purchasing food following Hurricane Helene can now apply for Disaster SNAP benefits.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services opened this week the first of two preregistration phases for DSNAP assistance.
Phase One includes Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Hampton, Laurens, McCormick, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties. Pre-Registration opened on Monday, November 11, and closes on Friday, November 15.
Phase Two includes Abbeville, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Jasper, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, and Richland counties. Pre-Registration opens on Sunday, November 17, and closes on Thursday, November 21.
In-person DSNAP events will be held between December 2 nd and December 6 th for residents who are unable to pre-register and complete the telephone interview.
Any household that resided within one of the designated counties at the time of Hurricane Helene and suffered unreimbursed disaster losses may be eligible to receive temporary DSNAP assistance. DSNAP benefits are provided via an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at authorized SNAP retailers.