How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in South Carolina

If your SNAP (food stamp) case in South Carolina is denied, reduced, closed, or delayed, you usually have the right to appeal and ask for a fair hearing. This guide explains how that process typically works in South Carolina and what steps you can take through the official state agency.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, not a caseworker service, and not an application or appeal portal. This article is meant to help you understand the process so you can contact South Carolina’s official offices and move forward there.

SNAP in South Carolina: The Basics

In South Carolina, SNAP is usually managed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). This program helps eligible households buy food using an EBT card.

You may want to appeal or request a fair hearing if DSS:

• Denies your SNAP application
• Approves you but for less than you believe you qualify for
• Stops or reduces your existing benefits
• Takes an unusually long time to decide your application or recertification
• Says you were overpaid and must pay back benefits
• Finds that you committed an intentional program violation (fraud finding)

A fair hearing is your chance to have an independent hearing officer review your case and decide if the agency followed the rules.

Your Right to Appeal a SNAP Decision in South Carolina

Most SNAP households in South Carolina have the right to:

• Know the reason for any negative action on their case
• Receive written notice (often called a Notice of Adverse Action or Notice of Decision)
• Appeal and request a fair hearing
• See their case file and evidence the agency used
• Bring evidence and witnesses to support their side
• Be represented by a lawyer, advocate, or other authorized representative (at their own arrangement)

If you disagree with a SNAP decision, you generally do not have to accept it as final. You can ask the agency to look again or take the issue to a formal hearing.

Common Reasons People Appeal SNAP Decisions

People in South Carolina often consider an appeal if:

• They believe income or deductions (like rent, utilities, child support, or medical expenses) were calculated incorrectly.
• Household members were left off the case by mistake.
• The agency counted ineligible income or resources.
• They did not receive adequate notice of a change.
• Their application was denied or closed for missing documents, but they had submitted them or could still provide them.
• Their case is in “pending” status too long (possible delay).
• They receive a notice of overpayment and disagree with the amount or reason.

Sometimes issues can be corrected informally by contacting your local DSS office. If the problem isn’t fixed, you can move forward with a formal appeal/fair hearing request.

Important Deadlines for SNAP Appeals in South Carolina

Exact timelines can change, so always check your decision notice and confirm with DSS. However, typical SNAP appeal rules in many states—including South Carolina—include:

• General appeal deadline: Often within 90 days from the date on the notice for SNAP decisions (denials, reductions, closures).

• Continuing benefits while you appeal:
  You may be able to keep your current benefit level during the appeal if:

  • You appeal before the effective date of the change or within 10 days of the notice, and
  • You specifically request continued benefits.

• Appealing a delay: If your application decision seems delayed past normal processing time (often around 30 days for regular SNAP), you may request a hearing for “failure to act”.

If you miss the main appeal deadline, you can still contact your local office. In some cases (especially overpayments or ongoing issues), you may have other options, but your chances are usually better if you act before the deadline.

How to Request a SNAP Fair Hearing in South Carolina

In South Carolina, you typically request a fair hearing through DSS. You cannot request a hearing through HowToGetAssistance.org.

Here are common ways people in South Carolina can start the appeal process (always confirm with your local DSS office):

1. By Mail or Fax

Most SNAP notices include appeal instructions and sometimes a hearing request form. You can usually:

1. Fill out the hearing request form printed on or attached to your notice,
   or write a short letter saying you want to appeal.
2. Include:
   • Your full name
   • Case number or client ID
   • Current address and a phone number
   • A brief statement such as:
     “I disagree with the decision on my SNAP case and would like a fair hearing.”
3. Mail or fax it to the address or fax number shown on your notice.
   Keep a copy and note the date sent.

2. In Person at Your Local DSS Office

You can usually:

• Visit your county DSS office during business hours.
• Tell the front desk or a worker that you want to file a SNAP appeal or request a fair hearing.
• Fill out and sign a hearing request form.
• Ask for a copy of what you sign for your records.

3. By Phone

Some South Carolina offices accept hearing requests by phone:

• Call the number listed on your SNAP notice or your local DSS office.
• Tell the worker you want to appeal the SNAP decision.
• Ask how they will record your hearing request and whether you should also submit something in writing.
• Write down:
  • The date and time of your call
  • The name of the worker
  • Any confirmation or instructions they give

If you request a hearing by phone, it’s often wise to follow up in writing for your own records.

Quick Comparison: Ways to Request a SNAP Fair Hearing in South Carolina

What to Include in Your Hearing Request

Your request usually does not need to be long or complicated. Typically, it should include:

• Your full name
• Date of birth
• Case number (if you have it)
• Current mailing address and phone number
• A clear statement like:
  • “I want to appeal the decision dated [date on your notice].”
• If you want benefits to continue during the appeal (when allowed), state that clearly:
  • “I request to continue receiving my SNAP benefits at the current level while my appeal is pending.”

You do not need to fully explain your entire case in the hearing request, but it can help to briefly say what you disagree with, such as:

• “I disagree with the amount of income used in my case.”
• “I disagree with the closure of my SNAP for failure to provide documents.”

Preparing for Your South Carolina SNAP Hearing

Once you request a hearing, South Carolina DSS will typically:

1. Acknowledge your request and schedule a hearing date.
2. Send you a written notice with:
   • The date and time of the hearing
   • Whether it will be in person, by phone, or by video
   • Instructions on how to participate
3. Provide information on how to review your case file before the hearing, if you ask.

To prepare:

1. Review Your Notice and Case File

• Re-read the denial or change notice carefully.
• Ask your local DSS office how to review or get copies of:
  • Your application or recertification
  • Income calculations
  • Any documents or notes used to make the decision

2. Gather Supporting Documents

Bring or submit copies of documents that support your side, such as:

• Pay stubs, employer letters, or self-employment records
• Rent or mortgage statements
• Utility bills (electric, gas, water, phone, internet if counted)
• Child care receipts or provider statements
• Child support orders and proof of payments
• Medical expense receipts or bills (for elderly/disabled deductions)
• Any letters or paperwork that show a change in income or circumstances

Organize them by type and date so they are easy to explain during the hearing.

3. Consider Representation or Support

You have the right to:

• Represent yourself, or
• Have a lawyer, community advocate, or trusted person represent or assist you (you must authorize them).

To find free or low-cost legal help:

• Contact a legal aid organization in South Carolina.
• Call 211 and ask for legal assistance or SNAP appeals help.
• Ask your local DSS office if they know of community agencies that assist with SNAP cases (they cannot recommend specific private attorneys, but may know general resources).

What Happens During a SNAP Fair Hearing in South Carolina?

A SNAP fair hearing in South Carolina is usually:

• Run by a hearing officer who is supposed to be impartial (not the same person who made the original decision).
• Less formal than a court, but still structured.

Typical steps:

1. Introduction

   • The hearing officer explains the process and the issue being decided.
   • Everyone present is identified (you, your representative, DSS worker, witnesses).

2. Explanation of the Case

   • DSS usually explains why it made its decision and what rules were applied.
   • DSS may go over your case file, calculations, and documents.

3. Your Turn

   • You (or your representative) can:
     • Explain why you disagree with the decision.
     • Present your documents.
     • Question the DSS worker about how they calculated or decided things.
     • Bring witnesses (for example, a landlord or employer who can clarify details).

4. Questions from the Hearing Officer

   • The officer may ask both sides questions to clarify facts.

5. Closing

   • Each side can make a short final statement.
   • The hearing officer ends the hearing and later issues a written decision.

You usually receive the decision by mail. The notice will say whether the DSS decision was:

• Upheld (stays the same),
• Reversed (changed in your favor), or
• Partially changed.

If the decision is in your favor, DSS may be instructed to:

• Recalculate your benefits, and/or
• Issue back benefits for months when you should have received more.

If the decision is not in your favor, it should explain your next options, which might include further appeal rights (sometimes through a state court). For court-level appeals, people often seek legal assistance.

Can You Keep Getting SNAP While You Appeal?

In South Carolina, you may have the option to continue receiving your current SNAP benefits during the appeal, depending on the type of case and timing.

In many SNAP cases, you can usually keep benefits if:

1. You file your appeal before the effective date of the change or within 10 days of the notice (check your notice for exact timelines).
2. You specifically request to continue your benefits.

Important points:

• If you lose the hearing, you may have to repay any extra SNAP benefits you received during the appeal.
• If you win, you could receive back payments if DSS underpaid or wrongfully stopped your benefits.

If you are unsure, ask your local DSS office or legal aid about the risks and benefits of requesting continued benefits.

Common Problems and How to Respond

1. You Never Got the Notice

If you learn your case has changed but never received a letter:

• Confirm your address on file with DSS.
• Ask for a copy of any decision notice.
• Once you receive it, check the mailing date and discuss whether you can still appeal if the normal time limit has passed.

2. Your Case Is Stuck in “Pending”

If your SNAP application is taking too long:

• Call or visit your local DSS office and ask:
  • Why your case is still pending
  • Whether any documents are missing
• If the delay seems unreasonable, you may request a fair hearing for delay/failure to act.

3. You Missed the Appeal Deadline

If you missed the usual timeframe:

• Contact your local DSS office anyway and ask about any remaining options.
• Contact legal aid to see if there is any way to challenge the decision late, especially if:
  • You never received the notice,
  • You had serious circumstances (like hospitalization) around the time of the notice.

Documents That Often Help in a SNAP Appeal

Having clear, up-to-date documents can make a big difference. For a SNAP fair hearing, people in South Carolina often gather:

• Identification: ID for the head of household (if relevant).
• Proof of income:
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Proof of unemployment, Social Security, or pension
  • Self-employment records (invoices, bank deposits, ledgers)
• Housing costs:
  • Lease or letter from landlord
  • Rent receipts or cancelled checks
  • Mortgage statement
• Utility bills:
  • Electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, phone, internet, heating fuel
• Child care and dependent care costs:
  • Provider receipts or a signed statement
• Child support:
  • Court order and proof of payments
• Medical expenses (for elderly or disabled household members):
  • Doctor bills, pharmacy receipts, health insurance premiums, transportation costs to medical appointments
• Any letters from DSS related to your case

Bring copies, not just originals, and label them clearly if possible.

If You Lose Your SNAP Appeal in South Carolina

If the hearing decision is not in your favor:

• Read the decision letter carefully to understand why.
• Ask your local DSS office to explain any parts you do not understand.
• Talk to a legal aid organization about:
  • Whether further appeal to a higher level (such as state court) is possible,
  • Whether it makes sense in your situation.

In some cases you may:

• Reapply for SNAP if your situation changes (for example, income drops or household size changes).
• Provide new or missing documents and ask the agency to reconsider your current eligibility.

Other Food Resources if Your SNAP Appeal Is Pending or Denied

While you are waiting for a hearing or if your appeal is not successful, you may want to look for other food assistance options in South Carolina:

• Food banks and food pantries – Many communities have nonprofit organizations that provide free groceries.
• Community meal programs – Churches and community centers often serve free meals at set times.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – For eligible pregnant/postpartum individuals and children under 5; run by a different program than SNAP.
• School meal programs – Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for eligible students.
• 211 – You can dial 211 to ask about local food resources and other assistance.

These resources do not replace SNAP, but they may help bridge the gap while you are navigating the appeal process.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels

Because SNAP involves personal information and benefits, it’s important to stay on legitimate, official channels:

• Check the web address – South Carolina DSS official websites usually end in “.gov”.
• Verify phone numbers and addresses – Use numbers and addresses:
  • Printed on your official DSS notices, or
  • Listed on the state government’s main website.
• Be cautious of fees – SNAP applications and appeals are free. If someone asks for payment to “guarantee” approval or an appeal outcome, treat it as a warning sign.
• Protect your information – Do not share your Social Security number, EBT card number, or PIN with anyone who is not clearly part of the official agency or an organization you trust and have chosen to work with (such as a known legal aid group).

If you’re unsure whether a phone call or website is legitimate, contact your local DSS office or the state’s main DSS information line directly using a number you already trust (for example, from a printed notice).

By understanding your rights, deadlines, and steps for SNAP appeals and fair hearings in South Carolina, you can better protect your household’s access to food assistance. To move forward, contact South Carolina DSS, your local county DSS office, or a legal aid organization and follow their official instructions for requesting and preparing for a fair hearing.