HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — South Carolina is putting $34 million toward SNAP administration as new federal food assistance rules continue to roll out.
The changes include expanded work requirements for some SNAP recipients, now extending through age 64. State officials say the funding will help manage the administrative side of the program as more people may be required to report work, training or volunteer hours to keep benefits.
In the Lowcountry, Second Helpings Executive Director Amy Colin said the changes are already creating questions for people receiving benefits — and for the nonprofits trying to help them.
“People who currently receive SNAP benefits are confused about what the eligibility requirements are,” Colin said. “Is it workforce development? Is it volunteer hours? How do I get them? What agencies will sign off on them?”
Second Helpings is a Hilton Head-based food rescue nonprofit. Collins said the organization picks up food that would otherwise be thrown away from more than 33 grocery stores, restaurants and farms, then delivers it to food pantries across the Southern Lowcountry.
Collins said those partner pantries are already helping feed about 14,000 people a week. But she said that is still less than half of the estimated need in the region.