McMaster signals SNAP cuts for SC. Here’s what that means and how many people could be impacted
South Carolina is considering joining a growing number of states that restrict the types of food and beverages that people eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can purchase.
This new “SNAP Food Restriction Waivers” program allows states more flexibility to manage their SNAP programs by restricting the purchase of non-nutritious food items like candy and soda, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Gov. Henry McMaster on Aug. 6 signaled the state’s intention to pursue changes in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing:
“America is getting healthy and South Carolina will do her part. In the next few days, I will issue an executive order directing the Department of Social Services to place common-sense limits on purchases made using SNAP benefits.”
This announcement came just five days before the Congressional Budget Office reported that an estimated 10% of households across the nation in the lowest income bracket will lose approximately $1,200 per year in combined benefits from programs like Medicaid and SNAP while the top 10% of earners are projected to gain around $13,600 annually from tax cuts as a result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
While no confirmed action from McMaster’s office has taken place, the process to implement the program would require a federal waiver from the USDA before any restrictions can take effect.
As of Aug. 13, the USDA has not added South Carolina to its listing of participating states.
Here’s what to know about this SNAP restriction program and what it could mean for residents in South Carolina if implemented.
What to know about the SNAP Food Restriction Waivers
If South Carolina moves forward, it will join 12 other states that have already secured waivers to impose SNAP restrictions. The current participating states include:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
The movement has gained traction under the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which argues that reducing access to unhealthy foods will improve public health outcomes.
Of the 12 states with restrictions in place, they prohibit using SNAP benefits to purchase items including:
- Soda & soft drinks
- Fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice
- Energy drinks
- Unhealthy drinks
- Prepared desserts
- Candy
Each of the currently approved waivers will go into effect at various points in 2026.
Critics of this waiver program, like The Food Research & Action Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy group for people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States, state that this program “burdens families and states with restrictions that do nothing to improve health,” citing that the rising cost of food and housing, lack of affordable health care, low wages and limited access to grocery stores contribute to health and food access issues.
SNAP in South Carolina: Who will be affected?
As of April 2025, the USDA reported that 567,310 South Carolinians, which accounts for roughly one in 10 residents, rely on SNAP benefits.
According to Feeding America, about one in seven South Carolina residents face food insecurity.
To qualify for SNAP benefits in South Carolina, households generally need to meet income limits that are tied to the Federal Poverty Level.
Low-income individuals and households, including those who are working, seniors, the homeless and people receiving Social Security benefits, are all eligible for SNAP benefits in the Palmetto State.
Qualifications for SNAP benefits outlined by the South Carolina Department of Social Services include:
- The household’s gross monthly income is less than $150, and liquid resources do not exceed $100.
- The household’s monthly gross income plus any cash on hand and/or in the bank is less than your rent, mortgage and utilities.
- The SNAP household contains a migrant or seasonal farm worker who is considered destitute and the household’s liquid resources do not exceed $100.
The only existing restricted items for purchase on SNAP benefits in South Carolina include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Non-food items
- Hot foods
- Food to be consumed in the store
What about the cost?
This new SNAP waiver program follows the recent “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, which is intended to provide tax breaks and decrease federal spending.
As a result, the support for programs like SNAP puts the costs onto states, meaning that South Carolina could have to pay for a portion of the benefits for SNAP for the first time in the program’s history. The amount each state would need to pay depends on the state’s error rate. The changes are set to begin in the fiscal year 2028 budget.
The Palmetto State could be responsible for covering over $129 million annually in direct SNAP benefits, in addition to an increased share of administrative expenses.
In its most recent budget, the state allocated roughly $7.2 million in general funds and $17.3 million in total for SNAP administration.
According to data from the USDA over the 2024 fiscal year, SNAP benefits cost nearly $1.3 billion in South Carolina.
For more information on this waiver program, click here for the USDA webpage.
