For Assistance with Health Insurance (and for the unemployed)

Palmetto Project is the nation’s first statewide nonprofit insurance agency. 

They are able to help any South Carolina resident, regardless of age, income, employment or immigration status.

There are two types of financial assistance that are available:

1. Premium Tax Credits – this lowers the cost of the monthly premium
2. Cost-Sharing Reduction – this lowers the cost actually using your insurance by reducing the cost of copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket max.

Insurance information for the unemployed:

Normally,  you have 60 days from a loss of coverage to enroll in new coverage. NOW – anyone who has lost coverage since JANUARY 1, 2020 can enroll in coverage that can start as soon as 10/1/2020.

Important Dates to Remember:

Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace/Obamacare/Healthcare.gov/ACA

• NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 15 for plans that begin January 1, 2021.

Medicare’s annual enrollment period is

• October 15 – December 7.   Especially important for newly uninsured over age 65. 

For more information: log onto www.PalmettoProject.org  or contact one of their statewide offices listed below. 

Charleston Office

6296 Rivers Avenue, Suite 100
North Charleston, SC 29406
tel: (843) 577-4122
fax: (843) 723-0521
charleston@palmettoproject.org

4500 Fort Jackson Blvd., Suite 150
Columbia, SC 29209
tel: (803) 779-4875
fax: (803) 212-7124
columbia@palmettoproject.org

For Assistance with Food Purchases for the Family

USDA approved P-EBT in South Carolina as a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)  to provide assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures.

If your children normally get free or reduced-price school meals, you’re eligible to get extra grocery money through this new program called Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) . 

The South Carolina Department of Social Services and the South Carolina

Department of Education will issue P-EBT benefits to current Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) households and non-SNAP households, through the State’s SNAP EBT card system. 

And while the  SC Department of Social Services will be the point of contact agency, a special website is being created by the state to provide additional information. 

P-EBT FAQ's & Contact Information: 

What should I do if I am eligible, but do not receive my P-EBT benefit? 

Please allow the state to fully issue all P-EBT benefits by August 15th, before inquiring about your benefit status. If you have not received your benefit by August 15th, please email PEBTBenefits@dss.sc.gov. Please do not call your local DSS county office with questions about P-EBT.

What retailers accept P-EBT? 

P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase food items at retailers displaying a SNAP logo/signage. Find the closest retailer where you can use your benefits at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator

Fetter Health Care Network offers free COVID-19 testing in Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton and Charleston Counties.  If you have these symptoms or have a known COVID-19 exposure, we recommend that you get tested. 

After the test, patients should self-quarantine until results are provided. Test results should be available within 5-7 days.  Fetter will contact you with the results.

 https://www.fetterhealthcare.org/covid-19/ 

In Upstate South Carolina the non-profit organization Ten at the Top, has compiled a map of  locations across the upstate where neighbors can get free food or a hot meal .

Map of Upstate Food Access Points:

Click here for free food listings:   https://www.tenatthetop.org/the-upstate/resource-maps/resource-maps-upstatefoodaccessmap/ 

The City of Charleston, Lowcountry Food Bank and the College of Charleston's Joe Riley Center for Livable Communities has compiled a map of nearly 100 places across Charleston County where our neighbors in need can get free food or a hot meal .

 Charleston Free Food Finder Map:

Click here for free food listings:  https://scgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8b77ebf4fa7543048b2c02b7ba954739 

For Assistance with Food Purchases

The SNAP Program assists eligible families with receiving assistance with purchasing healthy food items.

To apply, visit:   https://scmapp.sc.gov/  

To submit an application or renewal via fax, dial:  (803) 734-2012

To have an application or renewal form mailed to you, dial: (800) 616-1309

Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

A USDA grant program tasked with providing participants with fresh, nutritious, fruits and vegetables from local farmers' markets.  Applications being accepted until May 25.

https://dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs/food-and-nutrition-programs/senior-farmers-market/ 

Click this link to apply:    https://benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov/#/benefits/sfmnp/application 

Meals on Wheels of Summerville, Inc.

For information on free or low cost meals for seniors,  or residents that are home-bound, visit the links below: https://www.mowsummerville.org/ 

https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals 

Log onto their website to apply and see if you're eligible. 

Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Office: 843-873-8224  

* located in the Ambler Hall Place on the St. Paul's Church Campus

For information on food banks, food pantries and all available nutritional resources in your area, visit the link below:

 https://sc211.org/index.php/food