South Carolina Reentry Financial Help
South Carolina Financial Help: Rent, Utilities, Food & Benefits
This directory highlights trusted entry points for emergency help (rent, utilities, food) and public benefits in South Carolina. Availability and eligibility change often—always confirm with the provider and your supervising officer when community service / program participation must be approved.
Statewide Quick Start
Coverage: All South Carolina counties (use these first for the fastest referrals).
✅ Verified Benefits + Official Entry Points
South Carolina 2-1-1 (SC211)
24/7 resource navigation for rent/utility help, food, shelters, benefits, and local programs.
24/7 resource navigation for rent/utility help, food, shelters, benefits, and local programs.
Statewide
DSS Benefits Portal (SCCES) — SNAP/TANF
Apply online for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF), track application status.
Apply online for food assistance (SNAP) and cash assistance (TANF), track application status.
Online
Healthy Connections Medicaid — Apply
South Carolina Medicaid online application and case portal.
South Carolina Medicaid online application and case portal.
Online
SC Thrive
Free help applying for benefits and connecting to resources (SNAP/Medicaid and more).
Free help applying for benefits and connecting to resources (SNAP/Medicaid and more).
Statewide
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance) — South Carolina
Heating/cooling assistance is typically handled through local community action agencies.
Heating/cooling assistance is typically handled through local community action agencies.
Statewide
🛠️ Confirm First Utility + Food Locators (Highly Useful)
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
Utility-bill assistance for eligible customers (apply through partner agencies/community action).
Utility-bill assistance for eligible customers (apply through partner agencies/community action).
SC
Duke Energy — Share the Light Fund®
One-time energy-bill help for eligible customers (availability varies by area).
One-time energy-bill help for eligible customers (availability varies by area).
SC
Harvest Hope Food Bank — Find Food
Pantry locator and emergency food options in many Midlands/Upstate/Pee Dee counties.
Pantry locator and emergency food options in many Midlands/Upstate/Pee Dee counties.
SC
Lowcountry Food Bank — Find Food
Pantry locator and distributions across the Lowcountry service area.
Pantry locator and distributions across the Lowcountry service area.
Lowcountry
Golden Harvest Food Bank — Find Help
Find a partner food pantry/program in the CSRA (SC/GA coverage).
Find a partner food pantry/program in the CSRA (SC/GA coverage).
CSRA
Upstate
Counties (common coverage): Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, Oconee, Cherokee, Union, York, Chester, Lancaster, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville
✅ Verified Emergency Financial Help + Food
United Ministries — Emergency Assistance (Greenville)
Short-term help with rent/utilities (as available) plus food support during crisis.
Short-term help with rent/utilities (as available) plus food support during crisis.
Greenville
SHARE (Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources)
Support services that may include utility/rent help and referrals (eligibility varies).
Support services that may include utility/rent help and referrals (eligibility varies).
Upstate
Carolina Community Actions, Inc.
Community action agency—programs may include LIHEAP/utility assistance and other supports.
Community action agency—programs may include LIHEAP/utility assistance and other supports.
Rock Hill / Ches. area
Harvest Hope Food Bank — Find Food
Use the pantry locator to find partner pantries/soup kitchens/shelters nearby.
Use the pantry locator to find partner pantries/soup kitchens/shelters nearby.
Upstate/SC
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina — Get Food Assistance
Food pantry/distribution search tool; serves counties in NC and parts of SC (check zip).
Food pantry/distribution search tool; serves counties in NC and parts of SC (check zip).
SC/NC
🛠️ Eligible Utility-Bill Help (Confirm Territory)
Duke Energy — Share the Light Fund®
Energy-bill help for eligible customers. Availability depends on service area and funding.
Energy-bill help for eligible customers. Availability depends on service area and funding.
Upstate SC
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
If you are a Dominion customer, apply through partner agencies/community action.
If you are a Dominion customer, apply through partner agencies/community action.
SC
United Way (Piedmont) — 211 referrals
Local United Way partner page pointing to SC211 for utility/rent/food resources.
Local United Way partner page pointing to SC211 for utility/rent/food resources.
Piedmont
Midlands (Columbia Region)
Counties (common coverage): Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Newberry, Orangeburg, Saluda, Sumter
✅ Verified Food + Crisis Guidance
Harvest Hope Food Bank — Midlands (Columbia)
Food assistance and pantry locator; serves multiple Midlands counties (see service area).
Food assistance and pantry locator; serves multiple Midlands counties (see service area).
Columbia
The Cooperative Ministry (Columbia)
Midlands nonprofit offering crisis assistance programs and long-term stabilization services.
Midlands nonprofit offering crisis assistance programs and long-term stabilization services.
Columbia
The Salvation Army — Columbia
May offer emergency assistance and referrals depending on need and funding availability.
May offer emergency assistance and referrals depending on need and funding availability.
Columbia
OCAB Community Action Agency
Community action agency; programs vary (may include energy assistance and family supports).
Community action agency; programs vary (may include energy assistance and family supports).
Orangeburg area
SC 211 Helpline (Trident United Way info)
Dial 211 or text HELP/AYUDA to 211-211 for resource referrals across South Carolina.
Dial 211 or text HELP/AYUDA to 211-211 for resource referrals across South Carolina.
SC
🛠️ Eligible Benefits + Utility Programs (Confirm)
DSS SNAP — How to Apply
Official instructions for applying online, in-person, or by mail/fax through DSS.
Official instructions for applying online, in-person, or by mail/fax through DSS.
Online
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
Utility-bill assistance for eligible Dominion customers (apply via partner agencies).
Utility-bill assistance for eligible Dominion customers (apply via partner agencies).
SC
SC Thrive — Get Help
Help applying for SNAP and other supports; call center assistance available.
Help applying for SNAP and other supports; call center assistance available.
Statewide
Lowcountry
Counties (common coverage): Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
✅ Verified Food + Local Emergency Support
Lowcountry Food Bank — Find Food
Pantry locator and distributions across the Lowcountry service area.
Pantry locator and distributions across the Lowcountry service area.
Lowcountry
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
Emergency assistance and basic needs support (programs vary by funding/eligibility).
Emergency assistance and basic needs support (programs vary by funding/eligibility).
Mt. Pleasant
Neighbors Together (Bluffton / Hilton Head)
May provide emergency financial assistance and support services (confirm requirements).
May provide emergency financial assistance and support services (confirm requirements).
Beaufort County
Lowcountry Community Action Agency
Community action agency—may assist with energy programs (LIHEAP) and other supports.
Community action agency—may assist with energy programs (LIHEAP) and other supports.
Lowcountry
SC 211 Helpline — Dial 211 / Text 211-211
Fast referrals for rent/utility/food resources and local assistance programs.
Fast referrals for rent/utility/food resources and local assistance programs.
SC
🛠️ Eligible Utility Programs (Confirm Service Area)
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
If you are in Dominion territory, apply via partner agencies/community action.
If you are in Dominion territory, apply via partner agencies/community action.
Lowcountry
DSS Benefits Portal (SCCES)
Apply for SNAP/TANF, track progress, and manage case updates.
Apply for SNAP/TANF, track progress, and manage case updates.
Online
SC Thrive — Benefits Help
Help applying for benefits; connect with services by phone or partner sites.
Help applying for benefits; connect with services by phone or partner sites.
SC
Pee Dee & Grand Strand
Counties (common coverage): Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Florence, Marion, Dillon, Darlington, Marlboro, Chesterfield
✅ Verified Community Action + Food
Waccamaw EOC
Community action agency—may help with energy assistance (LIHEAP) and family supports.
Community action agency—may help with energy assistance (LIHEAP) and family supports.
Grand Strand
Pee Dee Community Action Partnership
Community action agency serving Pee Dee region (program availability varies).
Community action agency serving Pee Dee region (program availability varies).
Pee Dee
Lowcountry Food Bank — Find Food
Pee Dee/Grand Strand residents can use the pantry locator and distribution resources.
Pee Dee/Grand Strand residents can use the pantry locator and distribution resources.
Myrtle Beach area
Harvest Hope Food Bank — Find Food
Pantry locator for many South Carolina counties; check your zip code.
Pantry locator for many South Carolina counties; check your zip code.
SC
SC211 — Local referrals by zip code
Best starting point for rent/utility programs and county-specific emergency help.
Best starting point for rent/utility programs and county-specific emergency help.
SC
🛠️ Eligible Benefits + Utility Programs
DSS Benefits Portal (SCCES)
Apply for SNAP/TANF online; track and manage your case.
Apply for SNAP/TANF online; track and manage your case.
Online
Healthy Connections Medicaid — Apply
Online Medicaid portal for eligible South Carolina residents.
Online Medicaid portal for eligible South Carolina residents.
Online
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
Utility assistance for eligible customers (apply through partner agencies where available).
Utility assistance for eligible customers (apply through partner agencies where available).
SC
CSRA & Lower Savannah
Counties (common coverage): Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick
✅ Verified Food + Community Action
Golden Harvest Food Bank — Find Help
Find food pantries and partner agencies (SC/GA coverage—use your zip code).
Find food pantries and partner agencies (SC/GA coverage—use your zip code).
CSRA
Aiken-Barnwell Community Action Agency (ABCCAA)
Community action agency—may provide energy assistance and other family supports.
Community action agency—may provide energy assistance and other family supports.
Aiken/Barnwell
Dominion Energy — EnergyShare®
Utility assistance for eligible Dominion customers (apply via partner agencies/community action).
Utility assistance for eligible Dominion customers (apply via partner agencies/community action).
SC
SC211 — Local CSRA referrals
Find county-level emergency assistance programs and contacts quickly by zip code.
Find county-level emergency assistance programs and contacts quickly by zip code.
CSRA
🛠️ Eligible Housing-Related Financial Help (Confirm)
SC Housing — Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)
Rental assistance/vouchers in participating areas; waitlists and eligibility vary.
Rental assistance/vouchers in participating areas; waitlists and eligibility vary.
SC
DSS SNAP/TANF — Apply Online
Use the official DSS portal to apply and track status; county offices also assist.
Use the official DSS portal to apply and track status; county offices also assist.
Online
Directory Use Disclaimer
OACRA provides publicly available information to help you locate financial help resources. OACRA is not a government agency, probation office, court, or law firm.
- Always confirm eligibility, documentation requirements, and current availability with the provider.
- Programs may have waitlists, limited funding, or county restrictions.
- If you are under supervision, verify with your supervising officer when approvals are required.
- OACRA does not guarantee acceptance, funding, or outcomes from any program listed.
- Listing does not imply affiliation with the South Carolina Department of Corrections or any agency.
