Medicaid and Food Stamps in South Carolina

Many elderly people, disabled people, unemployed people and families with low incomes in South Carolina rely on programs like food stamps and Medicaid. These programs help people that struggle to pay for the necessities of life like healthful food and medical care. Each program has its own eligibility criteria and you must apply for one or both programs if you want to receive that type of assistance.

Medicaid

In South Carolina, the Medicaid program is known as Healthy Connections. It helps many people that cannot afford to pay for medical care. Medicaid covers a number of health care services including outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, prescription medications, mental health care and some dental care. People can choose from any health care provider in South Carolina as long as their health care providers agree to accept Medicaid coverage for payment.

Food Stamps

Commonly known as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps many people with low incomes in South Carolina buy nutritious foods. People can use food stamps at a large number of grocery stores in South Carolina to purchase things like meats, milk and other dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, canned goods, breads and cereals. People can also use their food stamps to buy seeds or plants if they want to grow their own food at home.

Eligibility

You must meet income guidelines based on family size in order to qualify for food stamps in South Carolina. Many people with jobs still qualify for food stamps based on income guidelines. To qualify for Medicaid in South Carolina, you must meet income guidelines as well as belong to a Medicaid coverage group. Medicaid coverage groups in South Carolina include elderly people, disabled people, some families with low incomes, children from families with low incomes and pregnant women. Not all people with low incomes qualify for assistance in South Carolina.

How to Apply

Apply for food stamps in South Carolina at the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Apply for Medicaid in South Carolina at the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services unless you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), in which case you should apply at your local Social Security Administration office. You will need to provide documentation of all household income along with your application.

Sources:

South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services. http://www.scdhhs.gov/InsideDHHS/Bureaus/EligiblityPolicyAndOversight/Partners%20for%20Health%20%28Medicaid%29%20Program.asp#who . Healthy Connections Program.

South Carolina Dept. of Social Services. https://dss.sc.gov/content/customers/food/foodstamp/index.aspx . Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/faqs.htm . Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.