South Carolina SNAP recipients face new food limits starting Sunday

South Carolina SNAP recipients will lose the ability to buy most candy and sodas beginning Sunday, Nov. 1. The state is implementing a new set of dietary restrictions under its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. These changes affect what shoppers can purchase at all approved retailers across the state.

The initiative, named Healthy Food SC, has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Under these new rules, eligible items will no longer include candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages. Shoppers can still use their benefits to buy diet and zero-sugar soft drinks, which remain on the allowable list.

Gov. Henry McMaster first proposed these restrictions in August 2025. In September of that year, he issued an executive order directing the South Carolina Department of Social Services to seek a federal waiver. The USDA subsequently granted the waiver, allowing the state to enforce the new guidelines for benefit spending.

The changes apply to all South Carolina SNAP-approved retailers and all participating households. There is no option for families to opt out of the food restrictions. The state’s SNAP program currently supports a substantial number of residents, with the restrictions affecting a large segment of the population.

In June 2026, the program provided benefits to 235,235 households. These households represented a total of 481,856 individuals. The federal government funded $89,341,975 in benefits for that month. The new rules take effect immediately on the first day of November, changing daily shopping habits for these families.