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.
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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