South Carolina · SC SNAP food restriction project (FR Doc. 2026-22387)

Healthy Food SC: SNAP benefits can no longer buy candy, soft drinks, energy drinks or sweetened beverages in South Carolina (from Nov. 1, 2026)

In effect Nov. 1, 2026 · USDA approval notice published Nov. 3, 2026

Published November 3, 2026 · Last updated November 3, 2026

What it does

South Carolina asked USDA for permission to change the SNAP definition of food that can be bought with benefits so that it excludes “candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages.” USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) approved this as a demonstration project under section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which lets USDA approve projects that test changes to SNAP. (USDA notice, 91 FR 69237, Summary and Supplementary Information) The state calls it Healthy Food SC. (SC DSS, Healthy Food SC)

Beginning November 1, 2026, those four categories “will no longer be available for purchase with SNAP benefits in South Carolina.” (SC DSS, SNAP Households page) Items that are not “eligible foods” cannot be bought with SNAP at SNAP-authorized retailers in South Carolina. (USDA waiver approval, Dec. 10, 2025, Waiver Summary)

What counts as each restricted item

• Candy: “a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.” Candy does not include protein bars or granola bars; baking ingredients such as sprinkles, chocolate melting wafers, toffee bits or chocolate chips; or items mainly sold as bakery or bread products, such as cakes, crackers, cookies, muffins, brownies, pastries and bread.
• Energy drinks: drinks with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces that are advertised as specially designed to provide metabolic stimulation or more mental or physical energy. Coffee, tea and drinks that are substantially coffee- or tea-based are not energy drinks.
• Soft drinks: “any nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water and flavored or sweetened, or both, with more than five (5) grams of sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners.” SC DSS says “Diet and zero sugar soft drinks will remain an allowable purchase with SNAP benefits.”
• Sweetened beverages: “any sweetened beverage, flavored or sweetened or both, with added sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners, ready for consumption without further processing.”

(SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ; USDA waiver approval, Waiver Summary) The soft drink definition was revised in August 2026 from “five grams or more” to “more than five grams.” (USDA modification approval, Aug. 3, 2026)

Not restricted as soft drinks or sweetened beverages:

• Drinks that contain milk, milk products, soy, rice or other milk substitutes.
• Drinks that are 50% or more natural fruit or vegetable juice with no added caloric sweetener.
• Infant or baby formula.
• Sports or rehydration drinks.
• Carbonated water drinks.
• Drinks for medical use, such as those made as a source of necessary nutrition for a medical condition or oral rehydration solutions for infants and children who are sick.

(SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ; USDA waiver approval, Waiver Summary) SC DSS says it cannot answer questions about whether a specific product is restricted, but it posts general guidance: candy is often individually wrapped or in snack-size bags, shelved in the candy aisle or at checkout, and labeled with serving sizes like “1 bar” or “3 pieces.” (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ)

Who it affects

• Every SNAP household in South Carolina. The project covers 100% of the state’s SNAP caseload, and no household may opt out. Taking part in the state’s surveys or interviews about the project is voluntary. (USDA waiver approval, Implementation) More than 590,000 South Carolina residents receive SNAP benefits each month, on average. (SC DSS, SNAP page)
• Visitors using SNAP in South Carolina. The restrictions apply to all SNAP recipients buying food with SNAP in South Carolina, including people with another state’s EBT card. A South Carolina EBT card used in another state follows that state’s rules. (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ)
• Stores that accept SNAP. SNAP-authorized retailers in South Carolina update their checkout systems so restricted items can’t be paid for with SNAP, and USDA’s terms required the state to have retailers confirm compliance before launch. (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ; USDA waiver approval, Terms and Conditions)
• Not WIC. Healthy Food SC does not change WIC-approved foods. (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ)

What it means for you

• At checkout. If a restricted item is in your cart, the store’s system will prompt you to use another form of payment for that item. (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ)
• Your benefits do not change. SC DSS says the state cannot change SNAP eligibility or benefit amounts because of the project. You can still buy fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy and other staples, and items that were already not allowed (such as alcohol, tobacco and hot foods) are still not allowed. (SC DSS, SNAP Households FAQ; USDA waiver approval)
• Other money still works. USDA notes that SNAP benefits are supplemental and do not stop anyone from buying excluded items with non-SNAP money. (USDA notice, 91 FR 69238)
• Questions. SNAP households can send general questions through the Healthy Food SC Inquiry Form on the SC DSS SNAP Households page.

How it got here

• Request. Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order in September 2025 directing SC DSS to seek the waiver, and the state formally requested it on September 23, 2025. (SC DSS, Healthy Food SC; USDA notice)
• First approval. USDA approved the project on December 10, 2025, for two years starting August 31, 2026. (USDA waiver approval)
• Delay. In an August 25, 2026 letter, USDA said its lawyers and the Justice Department were reviewing a court order that vacated USDA’s food restriction waiver approvals for Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia (Aragon et al. v. Rollins et al., D.D.C.). It asked South Carolina to move its start date to November 1, 2026, so USDA could publish a notice and consider public comments first. (USDA letter to SC DSS, Aug. 25, 2026)
• Public comment. USDA published a request for comments on September 15, 2026; the comment period closed October 15, 2026. (Federal Register, FR Doc. 2026-18896)
• Final go-ahead. USDA received 47 comments. It said most opposed the project, citing health and nutrition impacts, limits on participant choice, burden on SNAP households, retailer and consumer confusion, and the evaluation measures; supporters said it advances SNAP’s nutrition goals and promotes responsible use of taxpayer-funded benefits. USDA determined none of the comments were significant and allowed the project to proceed without modification, effective November 1, 2026. (USDA notice, 91 FR 69237-69238)

Current status

In effect since November 1, 2026, statewide. The approval is for two years from the project’s start date, and it may be extended in yearly steps for up to five years in total. USDA can withdraw approval and end the project at any time if it finds the project is inconsistent with SNAP’s goals. The state must send USDA quarterly evaluation reports in the first year. (USDA waiver approval, Terms and Conditions and Evaluation; USDA notice)

Sources

• Federal Register: “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of South Carolina SNAP Demonstration Project,” USDA notice of approval, 91 FR 69237, FR Doc. 2026-22387 (Nov. 3, 2026)
• Federal Register: request for public comments on the same project, FR Doc. 2026-18896 (Sept. 15, 2026)
• SC Department of Social Services: Healthy Food SC - SNAP Households (definitions and FAQ)
• SC Department of Social Services: Healthy Food SC
• USDA Food and Nutrition Administration: South Carolina SNAP Food Restriction Waiver
• USDA waiver approval letter, terms and conditions (Dec. 10, 2025) (PDF)
• USDA approval of the soft drink definition change (Aug. 3, 2026) (PDF)
• USDA letter asking SC to move the start date to Nov. 1, 2026 (Aug. 25, 2026) (PDF)
• SC Department of Social Services: SNAP

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.