South Carolina financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in South Carolina
If household costs are hard to manage, South Carolina has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the county, regional, or local application route when a program is administered closer to home.
Money Fit serves South Carolina residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
South Carolina uses different systems for different kinds of help. The DSS Benefits Portal handles SNAP and TANF applications, Healthy Connections handles Medicaid, and energy, housing, aging, and emergency services often route through county or regional organizations.
Apply for food or cash assistance
The South Carolina Department of Social Services uses its online Benefits Portal for SNAP food benefits and TANF cash assistance. County DSS offices can also help with applications and case questions.
Find nearby help statewide
South Carolina 211 is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, employment, disaster, and other community resources.
Health, housing, or utility help
Healthy Connections handles Medicaid. SC Housing, local public housing authorities, and Community Action Agencies handle different parts of housing and energy assistance.
Local routing matters in South Carolina. DSS benefits are supported through county offices. LIHEAP and weatherization use local Community Action Agencies. SC Housing directly administers Housing Choice Vouchers in only seven counties, while other communities use local public housing agencies. Aging services are coordinated through 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with SNAP or WIC when the household may qualify. For food needed sooner, South Carolina 211 and the regional food-bank network can help locate pantries, meal programs, and other local food resources.
South Carolina SNAP
SNAP provides grocery benefits to eligible South Carolina households. Applications can be submitted online through the DSS Benefits Portal or through a county DSS office. DSS also accepts applications by mail or fax.
South Carolina WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. South Carolina DPH accepts an online pre-application and routes families to local WIC services.
WIC appointment line: 855-472-3432
Feeding the Carolinas and South Carolina 211
Feeding the Carolinas connects residents with the regional Feeding America food banks serving South Carolina. Its food finder and South Carolina 211 can help locate food banks, pantries, meal sites, and other hunger-relief programs by area.
SNAP rules changed in 2026. South Carolina DSS says the work-requirement age range for certain able-bodied adults without dependents is now 18 through 64, the caregiver exception generally applies when caring for a child under 14, and some prior federal exemptions changed. South Carolina also says that beginning November 1, 2026, SNAP benefits will no longer purchase candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, or other sweetened beverages under Healthy Food SC. Households should confirm how the rules apply to them with DSS.
Housing, rent, and utility help
South Carolina housing and utility help is spread across SC Housing, local public housing authorities, Community Action Agencies, South Carolina 211, and legal-aid providers. Funding, application periods, and waiting-list status can change by program and service area.
SC Housing renter resources
SC Housing provides a statewide renter page with access to SCHousingSearch and links to HUD and USDA tools for affordable and subsidized rental housing.
South Carolina LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps eligible households with heating or cooling costs and may help restore service after a qualifying disconnect. The Office of Economic Opportunity does not take household applications directly. Local Community Action Agencies determine eligibility, availability, and benefits.
Weatherization Assistance Program
South Carolina weatherization helps eligible households improve home energy efficiency and address qualifying health and safety needs. Applications are handled through the local Community Action Agency serving the county.
Housing Choice Voucher programs
SC Housing administers Housing Choice Vouchers only in Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, and Lexington counties. Its waiting list is currently closed until further notice. Residents elsewhere should contact the public housing agency serving their community.
SC Housing HCV: 800-236-4009 or 803-896-8888
South Carolina 211
Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rent help, transitional housing, and related services are administered locally. South Carolina 211 can identify available programs and intake routes by county or ZIP code.
Call: 211 or 866-892-9211
South Carolina Legal Services
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to eligible residents. Issues may include eviction, housing conditions, public benefits, consumer matters, family safety, employment, and other civil legal problems.
Statewide intake: 888-346-5592, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Current housing and utility status: South Carolina's 2026 LIHEAP state plan lists cooling assistance and year-round crisis assistance through September 30, 2026, subject to funding and local agency availability. SC Stay Plus, the pandemic-era emergency rental and utility program, has exhausted its funds, is closed, and will not reopen. SC Housing directs households needing other rental or utility help to South Carolina 211.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Healthy Connections is South Carolina's Medicaid program. Residents who do not qualify for Medicaid may be able to compare private coverage through the federal Marketplace. Community health centers can provide local care to insured and uninsured patients.
Healthy Connections Medicaid
South Carolina residents can apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid online, by paper application, or through a local eligibility office. Eligibility depends on the program category, household circumstances, income, and other rules.
Member Contact Center: 888-549-0820, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
SC Thrive Medicaid application support
SCDHHS identifies SC Thrive as an application-assistance option for Healthy Connections. SC Thrive can help households work through the application and review likely health coverage routes.
SC Thrive helpline: 800-726-8774
HealthCare.gov
South Carolina uses the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. People who are not eligible for Medicaid may be able to compare private plans and financial assistance. Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026, while certain life events can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Marketplace Call Center: 800-318-2596
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
South Carolina DSS administers Child Care Scholarships and TANF. Child Care Scholarship availability is currently restricted, so families should review the pause notice before relying on the program for new or renewed assistance.
South Carolina Child Care Scholarships
Child Care Scholarships can help qualifying families pay for child care while a parent or guardian works, attends school, or completes training. Since December 1, 2025, South Carolina has paused new and renewal applications for Working Families unless the household falls within a protected category such as TANF, special needs, homelessness, child welfare, or domestic violence.
Child Care Operations Center: 800-476-0199
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
South Carolina TANF provides temporary cash assistance and employment-related supports to qualifying low-income families. Adults receiving assistance for themselves may have participation requirements and time limits unless an exemption applies. Applications are accepted through the DSS Benefits Portal or county DSS offices.
SNAP/TANF case line: 800-616-1309
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, applications, openings, and waiting lists.
Head Start locator help: 866-763-6481
The Working Families Child Care Scholarship pause remains in effect. South Carolina's April 2026 update says demand remains high and available state and federal funding has not increased enough to reopen ordinary new and renewal applications. Protected categories continue to have a separate eligibility route. The state has not published a firm date for the broader pause to end.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, transportation, and the rest of the household budget.
South Carolina unemployment insurance
Eligible workers who lose employment through no fault of their own may qualify for temporary unemployment insurance. The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce provides claim filing, weekly certification, and job-search requirements through its unemployment system.
UI Customer Service: 866-831-1724
SC Works
SC Works centers provide job-search assistance, training information, career services, employer connections, veterans services, and other workforce support across South Carolina.
South Carolina Legal Services
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to eligible residents. It does not handle criminal cases. Eligibility depends on income, assets, and the type of legal issue.
Statewide intake: 888-346-5592
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on household income or participation in certain public benefit programs.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
South Carolina's Department on Aging and its 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers help older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families locate local supports.
GetCareSC
GetCareSC is the South Carolina Department on Aging resource locator for older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. Residents can search by ZIP code for transportation, meals, in-home care, day services, financial assistance, and other supports.
Department on Aging: 800-868-9095
Area Agencies on Aging and ADRCs
South Carolina has 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Local services may include home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home assistance, Medicare counseling, wellness programs, and other community supports.
Adult Protective Services reporting
Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult age 18 or older in a community setting can be reported through South Carolina's statewide 24-hour CARE4US hotline. Different reporting agencies may apply in certain licensed or contracted residential settings.
CARE4US: 888-227-3487
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Lifeline and South Carolina Mobile Crisis
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24-hour crisis support involving suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, or substance use. South Carolina's Mobile Crisis program provides statewide 24/7/365 community-based crisis response and can dispatch a clinical team when appropriate.
988: Call or text 988
SC Mobile Crisis: 833-364-2274
South Carolina survivor services
The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault connects residents with 22 independent nonprofit member organizations that provide confidential direct services. Its county map identifies the programs serving each area.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
South Carolina 211
South Carolina 211 is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the state. Residents can call, text their ZIP code, or search online for local services.
Call: 211 or 866-892-9211
Text: ZIP code to 211-211
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
SCEMD coordinates state disaster recovery and explains the help that may be available to individuals after an emergency. For smaller events without federal Individual Assistance, state and local agencies may coordinate nonprofit and community resources. Federal household aid is available only when a qualifying declaration includes Individual Assistance for the affected area.
FEMA and DisasterAssistance.gov
FEMA Individual Assistance is not automatically available after every South Carolina disaster. Eligibility depends on a federal declaration, designated counties or areas, eligible disaster-caused losses, insurance coverage, and an open application period. Check the current declaration before relying on federal household assistance.
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Current disaster distinction: SCEMD's 2026 winter-storm information describes federal Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure recovery in Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens counties. Public Assistance is not the same as FEMA Individual Assistance for households. Residents should check SCEMD and DisasterAssistance.gov for any current household application period after a new disaster.
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance can help with basic expenses while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, payday loans, or other unsecured debts continue affecting the household budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help South Carolina residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible options.
A debt management plan may organize eligible unsecured debt into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. A DMP is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
