South-Carolina
Help to replace stolen SNAP benefits could soon end
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – Hundreds of thousands of South Carolina families rely on public assistance every month to put food on their tables.
But a way to help make up for losses if those benefits are stolen could soon end.
In 2022, the federal government enacted a policy to allow states to reimburse recipients of SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, if their benefits were stolen.
But unless Congress acts again — and soon — that help could stop.
“We really don’t know what Congress is going to do. We have sent our support in saying how much of this is needed and this would be something that would allow us to continue to serve children and families, especially those families that need help putting food on the table,” Connelly-Anne Ragley with the South Carolina Department of Social Services said.
Barring Congressional action, the reimbursement allowance is set to expire after next Monday, Sept. 30.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services oversees the state’s SNAP system and said it has received 707 reports statewide of fraud involving stolen SNAP benefits from EBT cards since Aug. 30.
To put that into perspective, DSS distributed SNAP benefits to 278,259 households last month, so fewer than 0.1% of all recipient households reported stolen benefits.
“While one family struggling and being able to not put food on the table because of some ill-doers is one family too many, we’re hopeful that Congress will act so that we can continue to replace stolen benefits,” Ragley said.
DSS urges people receiving SNAP to protect their EBT cards like they would a credit or debit card.
“We always encourage folks to change their PIN number frequently for their EBT card and make it something difficult — not 1234 or four 0s or 9876. Make it something that is challenging,” Ragley said.
Like credit and debit cards, the Federal Trade Commission advises SNAP recipients to frequently check their EBT account for unauthorized charges.
Even if the reimbursement provision is not renewed, DSS still encourages people to file a report if their benefits have been stolen.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
Trump jumps into 2 GOP governor primaries, backing Evette in South Carolina and Feenstra in Iowa – WTOP News
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed two Republican gubernatorial candidates Friday, wading into contests in South Carolina and…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed two Republican gubernatorial candidates Friday, wading into contests in South Carolina and Iowa that have pitted allies against each other in a fierce competition for their party leader’s blessing.
In a pair of social media posts, Trump gave his backing to South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra, as primary elections in both states approach.
Iowa’s primary is Tuesday, and South Carolina’s is on June 9.
For two terms, Evette has served alongside Gov. Henry McMaster, one of Trump’s earliest backers during his first presidential campaign. Earlier this year, the long-serving governor endorsed his No. 2, telegraphing to some that Trump’s backing could be next.
On Friday, Trump expressed both appreciation for Evette and the state she represents, noting that she stumped for him in 2024. He also said “A BIG added plus” for her campaign is that Henry McMaster Jr. — the sitting governor’s son — may be Evette’s running mate.
In the deep red state of South Carolina, the competition for the president’s support has been the most intense part of the primary race.
In a separate post, Trump described Feenstra as “MAGA all the way” and said he would “fight tirelessly” for the state on issues including the economy, border security and support of law enforcement.
Both Evette and Feenstra have been vocal about wanting Trump’s endorsement, in the hopes that it would carry weight in states that helped propel Trump’s return to office in 2024. Feenstra said earlier this year that he asked for Trump’s support, and much of Evette’s campaign media has featured photos of her next to Trump.
Along with Feenstra, four other Republicans — state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman and former conservative political director Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former director of the state Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen — are in the primary to replace outgoing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who opted out of a third bid.
Evette is competing for the South Carolina nomination against Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Both states are having their first competitive Republican gubernatorial primaries in years, with Reynolds and McMaster in office for roughly a decade each.
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Hannah Fingerhut contributed reporting from Des Moines, Iowa.
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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — A loud boom was heard and felt across the Midlands around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Viewers reported hearing and feeling the boom from as far as North Augusta to Darlington County.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a M 0.0 sonic boom occurred 3.7 miles northeast of the St. Andrews area.
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