South Carolina EBT Deposit Schedule for 2025

SHARE

ON THIS PAGE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is a big deal for managing your monthly budget. For families in South Carolina, having that date circled on the calendar helps with meal planning and makes grocery shopping much less stressful.

In this guide, you'll find your South Carolina EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your payment doesn't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on the last digit of your case number. The exact date depends on when you first started receiving assistance.

Here is the schedule for most households who began receiving benefits on or after September 1, 2012:

Case number ending in 0: 10th of the month
Case number ending in 1: 11th of the month
Case number ending in 2: 2nd of the month
Case number ending in 3: 13th of the month
Case number ending in 4: 4th of the month
Case number ending in 5: 15th of the month
Case number ending in 6: 6th of the month
Case number ending in 7: 17th of the month
Case number ending in 8: 8th of the month
Case number ending in 9: 19th of the month

Households that have received SNAP continuously since before September 1, 2012, follow an older schedule with benefits loaded between the 1st and 10th. Separately, Family Independence (TANF) cash benefits are deposited on the 1st of every month. You can review the full benefit availability schedule online.

How to Find Your Case Number

Since your deposit date hinges on your case number, you will want to have it handy. This number is printed on all correspondence from the Department of Social Services (DSS) and is readily accessible in a few other places.

You can find your case number by:

Looking in the upper-right corner of any letter you have received from DSS.
Logging into your account on the South Carolina Benefits Portal.
Calling the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268.

The last digit of this number is what determines your specific deposit date for SNAP benefits.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in South Carolina

Once your deposit date arrives, you can confirm the funds have been added to your account in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, you can review our guide on how to check your EBT balance in South Carolina. Here are three of the most convenient methods:

Download the Benny app to see your real-time SNAP and cash balances. You can also get cashback on eligible purchases at many stores. To start, provide your phone number or email, enter your zip code, and link your EBT card.
Visit the official ConnectEBT website. After you log in with your User ID and password, the site shows your available SNAP and cash balances. First-time users must register their card on the site before they can sign in to view their account details.
Call the 24-hour EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268. The automated system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN. After you enter your information, you can select the menu option to hear your current SNAP and cash benefit totals.

Download Benny to save on groceries

Get coupons from your favorite brands
Earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP and track your EBT balance
Get 1% cash back with the Benny Visa card and build your credit score

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your monthly EBT benefits to arrive later than expected.

Statewide Technology Disruptions

Widespread system failures can halt benefit processing. For example, a severed fiber-optic line once cut off internet access for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The agency’s aging mainframe system also regularly slows down or crashes under heavy use, which can push back deposit dates for everyone.

Heavy Caseloads and Staffing Shortages

Agency staffing issues can directly impact your payment schedule. When caseworkers are responsible for an overwhelming number of cases, they may struggle to complete necessary recalculations and approvals on time. This backlog can push monthly benefit issuances past their normal date for many households.

Seasonal Surges or Economic Downturns

An increase in applications can create a bottleneck in the system. During economic downturns, a spike in new or replacement benefit requests expands the verification queue. As a result, even routine SNAP and TANF payments may be posted later than usual while the new applications are processed.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An incomplete application or recertification can keep your case in a pending status. This might happen because of a missing signature, absent pay stubs, or an unverified address change. Discrepancies between reported information and documents also stop issuance. Deposits will only resume after you submit the needed proof and a worker finalizes the update.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused benefits on a South Carolina EBT card do not disappear at the end of the month. Instead, they stay in the account and build up over time. However, the rules for keeping these funds differ for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF).

Your SNAP balance rolls over automatically each month. To keep the account active, you must make at least one purchase or balance inquiry within nine months. If an account is inactive for 274 days, DSS sends a 45-day warning before permanently expunging the remaining SNAP dollars.

Cash assistance from TANF also rolls over monthly without expiring. Unlike SNAP, there is no state-mandated time limit for using these funds. The money remains on your SC ePay card until you withdraw or spend it, though standard card dormancy fees may eventually apply.

Get 1-3% cash back on groceries and track your EBT balance

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

It can be stressful when your EBT balance gets low before the end of the month. The good news is that you are not without recourse. Several strategies can help you secure more food assistance or stretch your resources until your next deposit.

Apply for Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

If you're facing a severe shortage, you may qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. South Carolina offers a fast-track process if your household meets one of three specific criteria detailed in the state's SNAP FAQ.

Your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have less than $100 in liquid resources.
Your income plus cash on hand is less than your rent/mortgage and utilities.
You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

If you qualify, submit a new SNAP application immediately and write “EXPEDITED PROCESSING” across the top. You can get help making sure the request is flagged correctly by calling SC Thrive counselors or the DSS Connect Call Center, with contact information available on the SNAP program page.

Filing online or at a DSS county office triggers a review within seven days. Before finishing, ask the worker for a printed or emailed confirmation number. This locks in your application date and protects your retroactive benefits if processing is delayed.

Reevaluate Your Benefit Calculation

If your income has dropped or your household expenses have increased, report the change to DSS as soon as possible. Gather evidence like pay stubs showing lower hours, new childcare receipts, or higher medical bills. Reporting mid-cycle allows DSS to adjust next month’s allotment instead of waiting for recertification.

You can submit these changes on the state’s Report a SNAP/TANF Change page or at your local DSS office. You can also use the portal to request a “fair hearing” if you believe the previous calculation missed allowable deductions. The DSS FAQ page details these deductions.

Follow up within ten days of submitting a change. Check the benefits portal for a “pending verification” flag so you can upload any extra documents promptly. This helps prevent an interruption in your next issuance.

Stretch Groceries Without Spending SNAP Dollars

You can supplement your groceries by tapping into statewide no-cost produce and meal pipelines. These programs help you get food without spending SNAP dollars, often with minimal requirements like an ID.

Dial 211 or use the SC 211 search tool to find a nearby food pantry, community meal, or mobile market schedule for your ZIP code. Most partners allow one visit per week, and some offer drive-through distributions where proof of income is not required.

You can also register for weekend gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew. Volunteers help harvest surplus farm crops for hunger-relief agencies and can typically take home a share of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

The free Benny app helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your EBT funds and get more from your benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is a big deal for managing your monthly budget. For families in South Carolina, having that date circled on the calendar helps with meal planning and makes grocery shopping much less stressful.

In this guide, you'll find your South Carolina EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your payment doesn't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on the last digit of your case number. The exact date depends on when you first started receiving assistance.

Here is the schedule for most households who began receiving benefits on or after September 1, 2012:

Case number ending in 0: 10th of the month
Case number ending in 1: 11th of the month
Case number ending in 2: 2nd of the month
Case number ending in 3: 13th of the month
Case number ending in 4: 4th of the month
Case number ending in 5: 15th of the month
Case number ending in 6: 6th of the month
Case number ending in 7: 17th of the month
Case number ending in 8: 8th of the month
Case number ending in 9: 19th of the month

Households that have received SNAP continuously since before September 1, 2012, follow an older schedule with benefits loaded between the 1st and 10th. Separately, Family Independence (TANF) cash benefits are deposited on the 1st of every month. You can review the full benefit availability schedule online.

How to Find Your Case Number

Since your deposit date hinges on your case number, you will want to have it handy. This number is printed on all correspondence from the Department of Social Services (DSS) and is readily accessible in a few other places.

You can find your case number by:

Looking in the upper-right corner of any letter you have received from DSS.
Logging into your account on the South Carolina Benefits Portal.
Calling the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268.

The last digit of this number is what determines your specific deposit date for SNAP benefits.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in South Carolina

Once your deposit date arrives, you can confirm the funds have been added to your account in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, you can review our guide on how to check your EBT balance in South Carolina. Here are three of the most convenient methods:

Download the Benny app to see your real-time SNAP and cash balances. You can also get cashback on eligible purchases at many stores. To start, provide your phone number or email, enter your zip code, and link your EBT card.
Visit the official ConnectEBT website. After you log in with your User ID and password, the site shows your available SNAP and cash balances. First-time users must register their card on the site before they can sign in to view their account details.
Call the 24-hour EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268. The automated system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN. After you enter your information, you can select the menu option to hear your current SNAP and cash benefit totals.

Download Benny to save on groceries

Get coupons from your favorite brands
Earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP and track your EBT balance
Get 1% cash back with the Benny Visa card and build your credit score

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your monthly EBT benefits to arrive later than expected.

Statewide Technology Disruptions

Widespread system failures can halt benefit processing. For example, a severed fiber-optic line once cut off internet access for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The agency’s aging mainframe system also regularly slows down or crashes under heavy use, which can push back deposit dates for everyone.

Heavy Caseloads and Staffing Shortages

Agency staffing issues can directly impact your payment schedule. When caseworkers are responsible for an overwhelming number of cases, they may struggle to complete necessary recalculations and approvals on time. This backlog can push monthly benefit issuances past their normal date for many households.

Seasonal Surges or Economic Downturns

An increase in applications can create a bottleneck in the system. During economic downturns, a spike in new or replacement benefit requests expands the verification queue. As a result, even routine SNAP and TANF payments may be posted later than usual while the new applications are processed.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An incomplete application or recertification can keep your case in a pending status. This might happen because of a missing signature, absent pay stubs, or an unverified address change. Discrepancies between reported information and documents also stop issuance. Deposits will only resume after you submit the needed proof and a worker finalizes the update.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused benefits on a South Carolina EBT card do not disappear at the end of the month. Instead, they stay in the account and build up over time. However, the rules for keeping these funds differ for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF).

Your SNAP balance rolls over automatically each month. To keep the account active, you must make at least one purchase or balance inquiry within nine months. If an account is inactive for 274 days, DSS sends a 45-day warning before permanently expunging the remaining SNAP dollars.

Cash assistance from TANF also rolls over monthly without expiring. Unlike SNAP, there is no state-mandated time limit for using these funds. The money remains on your SC ePay card until you withdraw or spend it, though standard card dormancy fees may eventually apply.

Get 1-3% cash back on groceries and track your EBT balance

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

It can be stressful when your EBT balance gets low before the end of the month. The good news is that you are not without recourse. Several strategies can help you secure more food assistance or stretch your resources until your next deposit.

Apply for Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

If you're facing a severe shortage, you may qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. South Carolina offers a fast-track process if your household meets one of three specific criteria detailed in the state's SNAP FAQ.

Your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have less than $100 in liquid resources.
Your income plus cash on hand is less than your rent/mortgage and utilities.
You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

If you qualify, submit a new SNAP application immediately and write “EXPEDITED PROCESSING” across the top. You can get help making sure the request is flagged correctly by calling SC Thrive counselors or the DSS Connect Call Center, with contact information available on the SNAP program page.

Filing online or at a DSS county office triggers a review within seven days. Before finishing, ask the worker for a printed or emailed confirmation number. This locks in your application date and protects your retroactive benefits if processing is delayed.

Reevaluate Your Benefit Calculation

If your income has dropped or your household expenses have increased, report the change to DSS as soon as possible. Gather evidence like pay stubs showing lower hours, new childcare receipts, or higher medical bills. Reporting mid-cycle allows DSS to adjust next month’s allotment instead of waiting for recertification.

You can submit these changes on the state’s Report a SNAP/TANF Change page or at your local DSS office. You can also use the portal to request a “fair hearing” if you believe the previous calculation missed allowable deductions. The DSS FAQ page details these deductions.

Follow up within ten days of submitting a change. Check the benefits portal for a “pending verification” flag so you can upload any extra documents promptly. This helps prevent an interruption in your next issuance.

Stretch Groceries Without Spending SNAP Dollars

You can supplement your groceries by tapping into statewide no-cost produce and meal pipelines. These programs help you get food without spending SNAP dollars, often with minimal requirements like an ID.

Dial 211 or use the SC 211 search tool to find a nearby food pantry, community meal, or mobile market schedule for your ZIP code. Most partners allow one visit per week, and some offer drive-through distributions where proof of income is not required.

You can also register for weekend gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew. Volunteers help harvest surplus farm crops for hunger-relief agencies and can typically take home a share of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

The free Benny app helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your EBT funds and get more from your benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is a big deal for managing your monthly budget. For families in South Carolina, having that date circled on the calendar helps with meal planning and makes grocery shopping much less stressful.

In this guide, you'll find your South Carolina EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your payment doesn't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on the last digit of your case number. The exact date depends on when you first started receiving assistance.

Here is the schedule for most households who began receiving benefits on or after September 1, 2012:

Case number ending in 0: 10th of the month
Case number ending in 1: 11th of the month
Case number ending in 2: 2nd of the month
Case number ending in 3: 13th of the month
Case number ending in 4: 4th of the month
Case number ending in 5: 15th of the month
Case number ending in 6: 6th of the month
Case number ending in 7: 17th of the month
Case number ending in 8: 8th of the month
Case number ending in 9: 19th of the month

Households that have received SNAP continuously since before September 1, 2012, follow an older schedule with benefits loaded between the 1st and 10th. Separately, Family Independence (TANF) cash benefits are deposited on the 1st of every month. You can review the full benefit availability schedule online.

How to Find Your Case Number

Since your deposit date hinges on your case number, you will want to have it handy. This number is printed on all correspondence from the Department of Social Services (DSS) and is readily accessible in a few other places.

You can find your case number by:

Looking in the upper-right corner of any letter you have received from DSS.
Logging into your account on the South Carolina Benefits Portal.
Calling the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268.

The last digit of this number is what determines your specific deposit date for SNAP benefits.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in South Carolina

Once your deposit date arrives, you can confirm the funds have been added to your account in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, you can review our guide on how to check your EBT balance in South Carolina. Here are three of the most convenient methods:

Download the Benny app to see your real-time SNAP and cash balances. You can also get cashback on eligible purchases at many stores. To start, provide your phone number or email, enter your zip code, and link your EBT card.
Visit the official ConnectEBT website. After you log in with your User ID and password, the site shows your available SNAP and cash balances. First-time users must register their card on the site before they can sign in to view their account details.
Call the 24-hour EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268. The automated system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN. After you enter your information, you can select the menu option to hear your current SNAP and cash benefit totals.

Download Benny to save on groceries

Get coupons from your favorite brands
Earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP and track your EBT balance
Get 1% cash back with the Benny Visa card and build your credit score

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your monthly EBT benefits to arrive later than expected.

Statewide Technology Disruptions

Widespread system failures can halt benefit processing. For example, a severed fiber-optic line once cut off internet access for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The agency’s aging mainframe system also regularly slows down or crashes under heavy use, which can push back deposit dates for everyone.

Heavy Caseloads and Staffing Shortages

Agency staffing issues can directly impact your payment schedule. When caseworkers are responsible for an overwhelming number of cases, they may struggle to complete necessary recalculations and approvals on time. This backlog can push monthly benefit issuances past their normal date for many households.

Seasonal Surges or Economic Downturns

An increase in applications can create a bottleneck in the system. During economic downturns, a spike in new or replacement benefit requests expands the verification queue. As a result, even routine SNAP and TANF payments may be posted later than usual while the new applications are processed.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An incomplete application or recertification can keep your case in a pending status. This might happen because of a missing signature, absent pay stubs, or an unverified address change. Discrepancies between reported information and documents also stop issuance. Deposits will only resume after you submit the needed proof and a worker finalizes the update.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused benefits on a South Carolina EBT card do not disappear at the end of the month. Instead, they stay in the account and build up over time. However, the rules for keeping these funds differ for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF).

Your SNAP balance rolls over automatically each month. To keep the account active, you must make at least one purchase or balance inquiry within nine months. If an account is inactive for 274 days, DSS sends a 45-day warning before permanently expunging the remaining SNAP dollars.

Cash assistance from TANF also rolls over monthly without expiring. Unlike SNAP, there is no state-mandated time limit for using these funds. The money remains on your SC ePay card until you withdraw or spend it, though standard card dormancy fees may eventually apply.

Get 1-3% cash back on groceries and track your EBT balance

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

It can be stressful when your EBT balance gets low before the end of the month. The good news is that you are not without recourse. Several strategies can help you secure more food assistance or stretch your resources until your next deposit.

Apply for Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

If you're facing a severe shortage, you may qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. South Carolina offers a fast-track process if your household meets one of three specific criteria detailed in the state's SNAP FAQ.

Your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have less than $100 in liquid resources.
Your income plus cash on hand is less than your rent/mortgage and utilities.
You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

If you qualify, submit a new SNAP application immediately and write “EXPEDITED PROCESSING” across the top. You can get help making sure the request is flagged correctly by calling SC Thrive counselors or the DSS Connect Call Center, with contact information available on the SNAP program page.

Filing online or at a DSS county office triggers a review within seven days. Before finishing, ask the worker for a printed or emailed confirmation number. This locks in your application date and protects your retroactive benefits if processing is delayed.

Reevaluate Your Benefit Calculation

If your income has dropped or your household expenses have increased, report the change to DSS as soon as possible. Gather evidence like pay stubs showing lower hours, new childcare receipts, or higher medical bills. Reporting mid-cycle allows DSS to adjust next month’s allotment instead of waiting for recertification.

You can submit these changes on the state’s Report a SNAP/TANF Change page or at your local DSS office. You can also use the portal to request a “fair hearing” if you believe the previous calculation missed allowable deductions. The DSS FAQ page details these deductions.

Follow up within ten days of submitting a change. Check the benefits portal for a “pending verification” flag so you can upload any extra documents promptly. This helps prevent an interruption in your next issuance.

Stretch Groceries Without Spending SNAP Dollars

You can supplement your groceries by tapping into statewide no-cost produce and meal pipelines. These programs help you get food without spending SNAP dollars, often with minimal requirements like an ID.

Dial 211 or use the SC 211 search tool to find a nearby food pantry, community meal, or mobile market schedule for your ZIP code. Most partners allow one visit per week, and some offer drive-through distributions where proof of income is not required.

You can also register for weekend gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew. Volunteers help harvest surplus farm crops for hunger-relief agencies and can typically take home a share of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

The free Benny app helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your EBT funds and get more from your benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is a big deal for managing your monthly budget. For families in South Carolina, having that date circled on the calendar helps with meal planning and makes grocery shopping much less stressful.

In this guide, you'll find your South Carolina EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your payment doesn't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on the last digit of your case number. The exact date depends on when you first started receiving assistance.

Here is the schedule for most households who began receiving benefits on or after September 1, 2012:

Case number ending in 0: 10th of the month
Case number ending in 1: 11th of the month
Case number ending in 2: 2nd of the month
Case number ending in 3: 13th of the month
Case number ending in 4: 4th of the month
Case number ending in 5: 15th of the month
Case number ending in 6: 6th of the month
Case number ending in 7: 17th of the month
Case number ending in 8: 8th of the month
Case number ending in 9: 19th of the month

Households that have received SNAP continuously since before September 1, 2012, follow an older schedule with benefits loaded between the 1st and 10th. Separately, Family Independence (TANF) cash benefits are deposited on the 1st of every month. You can review the full benefit availability schedule online.

How to Find Your Case Number

Since your deposit date hinges on your case number, you will want to have it handy. This number is printed on all correspondence from the Department of Social Services (DSS) and is readily accessible in a few other places.

You can find your case number by:

Looking in the upper-right corner of any letter you have received from DSS.
Logging into your account on the South Carolina Benefits Portal.
Calling the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268.

The last digit of this number is what determines your specific deposit date for SNAP benefits.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in South Carolina

Once your deposit date arrives, you can confirm the funds have been added to your account in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, you can review our guide on how to check your EBT balance in South Carolina. Here are three of the most convenient methods:

Download the Benny app to see your real-time SNAP and cash balances. You can also get cashback on eligible purchases at many stores. To start, provide your phone number or email, enter your zip code, and link your EBT card.
Visit the official ConnectEBT website. After you log in with your User ID and password, the site shows your available SNAP and cash balances. First-time users must register their card on the site before they can sign in to view their account details.
Call the 24-hour EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268. The automated system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN. After you enter your information, you can select the menu option to hear your current SNAP and cash benefit totals.

Download Benny to save on groceries

Get coupons from your favorite brands
Earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP and track your EBT balance
Get 1% cash back with the Benny Visa card and build your credit score

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your monthly EBT benefits to arrive later than expected.

Statewide Technology Disruptions

Widespread system failures can halt benefit processing. For example, a severed fiber-optic line once cut off internet access for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The agency’s aging mainframe system also regularly slows down or crashes under heavy use, which can push back deposit dates for everyone.

Heavy Caseloads and Staffing Shortages

Agency staffing issues can directly impact your payment schedule. When caseworkers are responsible for an overwhelming number of cases, they may struggle to complete necessary recalculations and approvals on time. This backlog can push monthly benefit issuances past their normal date for many households.

Seasonal Surges or Economic Downturns

An increase in applications can create a bottleneck in the system. During economic downturns, a spike in new or replacement benefit requests expands the verification queue. As a result, even routine SNAP and TANF payments may be posted later than usual while the new applications are processed.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An incomplete application or recertification can keep your case in a pending status. This might happen because of a missing signature, absent pay stubs, or an unverified address change. Discrepancies between reported information and documents also stop issuance. Deposits will only resume after you submit the needed proof and a worker finalizes the update.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused benefits on a South Carolina EBT card do not disappear at the end of the month. Instead, they stay in the account and build up over time. However, the rules for keeping these funds differ for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF).

Your SNAP balance rolls over automatically each month. To keep the account active, you must make at least one purchase or balance inquiry within nine months. If an account is inactive for 274 days, DSS sends a 45-day warning before permanently expunging the remaining SNAP dollars.

Cash assistance from TANF also rolls over monthly without expiring. Unlike SNAP, there is no state-mandated time limit for using these funds. The money remains on your SC ePay card until you withdraw or spend it, though standard card dormancy fees may eventually apply.

Get 1-3% cash back on groceries and track your EBT balance

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

It can be stressful when your EBT balance gets low before the end of the month. The good news is that you are not without recourse. Several strategies can help you secure more food assistance or stretch your resources until your next deposit.

Apply for Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

If you're facing a severe shortage, you may qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. South Carolina offers a fast-track process if your household meets one of three specific criteria detailed in the state's SNAP FAQ.

Your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have less than $100 in liquid resources.
Your income plus cash on hand is less than your rent/mortgage and utilities.
You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

If you qualify, submit a new SNAP application immediately and write “EXPEDITED PROCESSING” across the top. You can get help making sure the request is flagged correctly by calling SC Thrive counselors or the DSS Connect Call Center, with contact information available on the SNAP program page.

Filing online or at a DSS county office triggers a review within seven days. Before finishing, ask the worker for a printed or emailed confirmation number. This locks in your application date and protects your retroactive benefits if processing is delayed.

Reevaluate Your Benefit Calculation

If your income has dropped or your household expenses have increased, report the change to DSS as soon as possible. Gather evidence like pay stubs showing lower hours, new childcare receipts, or higher medical bills. Reporting mid-cycle allows DSS to adjust next month’s allotment instead of waiting for recertification.

You can submit these changes on the state’s Report a SNAP/TANF Change page or at your local DSS office. You can also use the portal to request a “fair hearing” if you believe the previous calculation missed allowable deductions. The DSS FAQ page details these deductions.

Follow up within ten days of submitting a change. Check the benefits portal for a “pending verification” flag so you can upload any extra documents promptly. This helps prevent an interruption in your next issuance.

Stretch Groceries Without Spending SNAP Dollars

You can supplement your groceries by tapping into statewide no-cost produce and meal pipelines. These programs help you get food without spending SNAP dollars, often with minimal requirements like an ID.

Dial 211 or use the SC 211 search tool to find a nearby food pantry, community meal, or mobile market schedule for your ZIP code. Most partners allow one visit per week, and some offer drive-through distributions where proof of income is not required.

You can also register for weekend gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew. Volunteers help harvest surplus farm crops for hunger-relief agencies and can typically take home a share of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

The free Benny app helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your EBT funds and get more from your benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is a big deal for managing your monthly budget. For families in South Carolina, having that date circled on the calendar helps with meal planning and makes grocery shopping much less stressful.

In this guide, you'll find your South Carolina EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your payment doesn't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on the last digit of your case number. The exact date depends on when you first started receiving assistance.

Here is the schedule for most households who began receiving benefits on or after September 1, 2012:

Case number ending in 0: 10th of the month
Case number ending in 1: 11th of the month
Case number ending in 2: 2nd of the month
Case number ending in 3: 13th of the month
Case number ending in 4: 4th of the month
Case number ending in 5: 15th of the month
Case number ending in 6: 6th of the month
Case number ending in 7: 17th of the month
Case number ending in 8: 8th of the month
Case number ending in 9: 19th of the month

Households that have received SNAP continuously since before September 1, 2012, follow an older schedule with benefits loaded between the 1st and 10th. Separately, Family Independence (TANF) cash benefits are deposited on the 1st of every month. You can review the full benefit availability schedule online.

How to Find Your Case Number

Since your deposit date hinges on your case number, you will want to have it handy. This number is printed on all correspondence from the Department of Social Services (DSS) and is readily accessible in a few other places.

You can find your case number by:

Looking in the upper-right corner of any letter you have received from DSS.
Logging into your account on the South Carolina Benefits Portal.
Calling the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268.

The last digit of this number is what determines your specific deposit date for SNAP benefits.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in South Carolina

Once your deposit date arrives, you can confirm the funds have been added to your account in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, you can review our guide on how to check your EBT balance in South Carolina. Here are three of the most convenient methods:

Download the Benny app to see your real-time SNAP and cash balances. You can also get cashback on eligible purchases at many stores. To start, provide your phone number or email, enter your zip code, and link your EBT card.
Visit the official ConnectEBT website. After you log in with your User ID and password, the site shows your available SNAP and cash balances. First-time users must register their card on the site before they can sign in to view their account details.
Call the 24-hour EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-554-5268. The automated system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN. After you enter your information, you can select the menu option to hear your current SNAP and cash benefit totals.

Download Benny to save on groceries

Get coupons from your favorite brands
Earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP and track your EBT balance
Get 1% cash back with the Benny Visa card and build your credit score

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your monthly EBT benefits to arrive later than expected.

Statewide Technology Disruptions

Widespread system failures can halt benefit processing. For example, a severed fiber-optic line once cut off internet access for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The agency’s aging mainframe system also regularly slows down or crashes under heavy use, which can push back deposit dates for everyone.

Heavy Caseloads and Staffing Shortages

Agency staffing issues can directly impact your payment schedule. When caseworkers are responsible for an overwhelming number of cases, they may struggle to complete necessary recalculations and approvals on time. This backlog can push monthly benefit issuances past their normal date for many households.

Seasonal Surges or Economic Downturns

An increase in applications can create a bottleneck in the system. During economic downturns, a spike in new or replacement benefit requests expands the verification queue. As a result, even routine SNAP and TANF payments may be posted later than usual while the new applications are processed.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An incomplete application or recertification can keep your case in a pending status. This might happen because of a missing signature, absent pay stubs, or an unverified address change. Discrepancies between reported information and documents also stop issuance. Deposits will only resume after you submit the needed proof and a worker finalizes the update.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused benefits on a South Carolina EBT card do not disappear at the end of the month. Instead, they stay in the account and build up over time. However, the rules for keeping these funds differ for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF).

Your SNAP balance rolls over automatically each month. To keep the account active, you must make at least one purchase or balance inquiry within nine months. If an account is inactive for 274 days, DSS sends a 45-day warning before permanently expunging the remaining SNAP dollars.

Cash assistance from TANF also rolls over monthly without expiring. Unlike SNAP, there is no state-mandated time limit for using these funds. The money remains on your SC ePay card until you withdraw or spend it, though standard card dormancy fees may eventually apply.

Get 1-3% cash back on groceries and track your EBT balance

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

It can be stressful when your EBT balance gets low before the end of the month. The good news is that you are not without recourse. Several strategies can help you secure more food assistance or stretch your resources until your next deposit.

Apply for Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

If you're facing a severe shortage, you may qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. South Carolina offers a fast-track process if your household meets one of three specific criteria detailed in the state's SNAP FAQ.

Your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have less than $100 in liquid resources.
Your income plus cash on hand is less than your rent/mortgage and utilities.
You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

If you qualify, submit a new SNAP application immediately and write “EXPEDITED PROCESSING” across the top. You can get help making sure the request is flagged correctly by calling SC Thrive counselors or the DSS Connect Call Center, with contact information available on the SNAP program page.

Filing online or at a DSS county office triggers a review within seven days. Before finishing, ask the worker for a printed or emailed confirmation number. This locks in your application date and protects your retroactive benefits if processing is delayed.

Reevaluate Your Benefit Calculation

If your income has dropped or your household expenses have increased, report the change to DSS as soon as possible. Gather evidence like pay stubs showing lower hours, new childcare receipts, or higher medical bills. Reporting mid-cycle allows DSS to adjust next month’s allotment instead of waiting for recertification.

You can submit these changes on the state’s Report a SNAP/TANF Change page or at your local DSS office. You can also use the portal to request a “fair hearing” if you believe the previous calculation missed allowable deductions. The DSS FAQ page details these deductions.

Follow up within ten days of submitting a change. Check the benefits portal for a “pending verification” flag so you can upload any extra documents promptly. This helps prevent an interruption in your next issuance.

Stretch Groceries Without Spending SNAP Dollars

You can supplement your groceries by tapping into statewide no-cost produce and meal pipelines. These programs help you get food without spending SNAP dollars, often with minimal requirements like an ID.

Dial 211 or use the SC 211 search tool to find a nearby food pantry, community meal, or mobile market schedule for your ZIP code. Most partners allow one visit per week, and some offer drive-through distributions where proof of income is not required.

You can also register for weekend gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew. Volunteers help harvest surplus farm crops for hunger-relief agencies and can typically take home a share of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

The free Benny app helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your EBT funds and get more from your benefits.