Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in South Carolina: Kinship Care, TANF, and Support

Last updated: April 7, 2026

Bottom Line: South Carolina does not have one stand-alone monthly “grandparents raising grandchildren” benefit. Instead, most grandparents and other relatives must piece together help through child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Healthy Connections Medicaid and CHIP, WIC, SC Voucher child care help, and the Seniors Raising Children program. If the child is in an open DSS foster care case and you become licensed, much larger help may open through kinship foster board payments or KinGAP.

Emergency help now

• If the child is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical care, call 911 now.
• If you suspect abuse or neglect, call the South Carolina DSS hotline at 1-888-227-3487 (1-888-CARE4US) or use South Carolina’s online abuse report.
• If the child is already in your home tonight, save every paper you have and contact DSS, the child’s school, and the child’s doctor the same day so school, medicine, and benefits do not stall.

Quick help for South Carolina grandparents

• Fastest cash path: Start a child-only TANF application. South Carolina says a grandparent’s income and resources do not count if the grant is only for the child.
• Fastest real-person help: Call the kinship navigator for your region: Middle Tyger in the Upstate at 864-439-7760, Epworth in the Midlands and Pee Dee at 1-888-561-2932, or HALOS in the Lowcountry at 843-990-9570, or use the statewide Kinship SC resource map.
• Fastest health coverage: Apply for the child through apply.scdhhs.gov or call Healthy Connections at 1-888-549-0820.
• If the child is under 5: Call South Carolina WIC at 1-855-472-3432.
• If you are 55 or older: Ask your local Area Agency on Aging through GetCareSC about Seniors Raising Children.

What this help actually looks like in South Carolina

First action: figure out which lane you are in. South Carolina calls itself a “Kin First State”, but the help changes a lot depending on whether this is an informal family arrangement, a family court case, or an open DSS foster care case.

The key South Carolina fact: there is no single state-run “grandparent caregiver grant” that automatically starts when a grandchild moves in. The practical path is usually: child-only TANF + food help + health coverage + school paperwork + aging services. Only some families can add foster board payments or KinGAP.

South Carolina is using kinship care more than it used to. On the last day of state fiscal year 2025, 27.8% of foster care placements in the state were kinship care placements. That matters because grandparents are no longer unusual in this system, but it also means regional contractors, county offices, and local courts can shape how fast help arrives.

Your situation	What usually opens	Biggest limit
Informal private care	Child-only TANF, SNAP, WIC, Medicaid/CHIP, school meals, Seniors Raising Children	No foster payment just because the child is with family
Temporary caregiving power of attorney	School enrollment and routine medical authority can move faster	Usually lasts only up to one year and does not cover major non-emergency surgery
Family court custody or guardianship	Stronger school, medical, and child support rights	Takes time, paperwork, and sometimes filing fees
Open DSS foster care case with licensed kinship home	Board payments, Medicaid, training, case support, possible KinGAP later	Licensing and court oversight are required

• Best immediate takeaway: Apply for the child’s Medicaid and child-only TANF right away.
• Major rule: In South Carolina, foster or kinship board payments usually require both an open DSS foster care line and kinship foster licensure.
• Realistic obstacle: Without a court order or valid South Carolina power of attorney, schools and doctors may still ask for more proof.
• Useful fact: DSS says more than 28% of children in placement are in formally licensed kinship settings, so this is a real South Carolina system, not a rare exception.
• Best next step: Call a kinship navigator or your regional DSS kinship coordinator before you assume you are not eligible.

Who qualifies in plain language

You may qualify for at least some help if all or most of these are true:

• The child is living with you in South Carolina full-time or close to full-time.
• You are the child’s grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or another qualifying relative. In some DSS cases, South Carolina also helps fictive kin, meaning a close non-relative with a real family-like bond.
• The child is under 18 for child-only TANF, under 19 for most Medicaid/CHIP paths, or under 5 for WIC.
• If you want foster care payments or KinGAP, the child must usually be in an open DSS foster care case.
• If you want Seniors Raising Children, you must be age 55 or older and the child’s primary caregiver.

Program	Publicly posted help	Important catch	Start here
Child-only TANF	$229 for one child, $308 for two, $388 for three	The child cannot already be receiving SSI or foster/kinship/adoption/guardianship payments	DSS Benefits Portal
Licensed kinship foster care	$700 age 0-5, $818 age 6-12, $863 age 13-20 monthly board rate	You need an open DSS foster case and licensure	Kinship licensing through DSS
SC Voucher child care	Up to 52 weeks at a time, with reapplication if still eligible	Work, school, training, disability, or protective-services rules apply	SC Child Care scholarship help
Seniors Raising Children	Region-based respite and support; DSS says some reimbursements may run about $500-$1,000 per child as funds allow	Services vary by Area Agency on Aging and available funding	GetCareSC

Best South Carolina programs and options

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

• What it is: South Carolina’s child-only TANF grant is cash help paid on behalf of the child, not the grandparent.
• Who can get it or use it: A grandparent or other qualifying relative caring for a child under 18. If the grant is only for the child, South Carolina says the caregiver’s income and resources do not affect the amount, although the child’s own income may count.
• How it helps: The maximum monthly grant is $229 for one child, $308 for two, and $388 for three. It also avoids adult TANF work rules if you are not asking for benefits for yourself. If the child gets TANF, DSS will also automatically start a child support application.
• How to apply or use it: Use the DSS Benefits Portal, go to a county DSS office, or apply by mail or fax using the official TANF application instructions. Call DSS Connect at 1-800-616-1309 if you need a paper form or case status.
• What to gather or know first: Bring your ID, the child’s birth certificate or other proof of age, Social Security number if available, proof of relationship, address, and any court, school, or hospital records. A child receiving foster board payments, SSI, subsidized adoption, subsidized guardianship, or kinship care payments is not eligible for TANF.

Can grandparents get foster care payments?

• What it is: In South Carolina, grandparents can receive foster care-style monthly help only if they become licensed kinship foster parents in an open DSS foster care case.
• Who can get it or use it: Relatives or fictive kin caring for a child in DSS custody after the judge opens the foster care line.
• How it helps: Licensed kinship foster parents get the same benefits and services as other licensed foster parents. The regular board rates effective July 1, 2025 are $700 a month for ages 0-5, $818 for ages 6-12, and $863 for ages 13-20. Foster children also receive Medicaid, and DSS says foster parents receive a quarterly clothing allowance.
• How to apply or use it: Tell the DSS case manager you want to pursue kinship foster licensure. DSS says the licensing process usually takes 60 to 90 days, and some non-safety rules can be waived for kinship homes.
• What to gather or know first: Keep your home safety information ready, list every adult in the home, and expect fingerprinting and background review. If DSS is not involved, this money path usually does not open.

Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP)

• What it is: KinGAP is South Carolina’s subsidized legal guardianship option for children leaving foster care for a permanent kinship home when reunification and adoption are not workable.
• Who can get it or use it: The child must have an open foster care case with DSS and must have lived in a standard licensed foster home with the kinship caregiver for at least six consecutive months, with a strong bond.
• How it helps: It provides monthly financial help until adulthood without requiring termination of parental rights. That can be a good fit when a grandparent wants permanence but does not want a full adoption route.
• How to apply or use it: Bring it up early with the DSS case manager and review the official KinGAP criteria. DSS says the program is not retroactive. For questions, DSS lists qalegalguardianship@dss.sc.gov.
• What to gather or know first: Keep copies of the foster license, placement dates, court orders, and the case plan. Medicaid eligibility can depend on the type of subsidized legal guardianship involved.

Kinship care payments and kinship navigator help in South Carolina

• What it is: South Carolina has both regional DSS kinship coordinators and a regional kinship navigator network. This is often the fastest path to real answers.
• Who can get it or use it: Formal DSS families and many informal kinship families. Exact services differ by region and contractor.
• How it helps: Navigators help with benefits, legal questions, support groups, supplies, notary and document help, school issues, and local referrals. DSS says South Carolina’s three kinship navigator programs are Middle Tyger Community Center, Epworth Children’s Home, and HALOS.
• How to apply or use it: Use the Kinship SC local resource map or call Middle Tyger 864-439-7760, Epworth 1-888-561-2932, or HALOS 843-990-9570. DSS also lists regional coordinators: Upstate 864-314-0496, Midlands 803-609-6933, Pee Dee 843-731-1192, and Lowcountry 803-584-8112.
• What to gather or know first: Be ready to explain your county, whether DSS is involved, how long the child has been with you, and what you need first: cash, school help, legal help, respite, or food.

Medicaid and health insurance for grandchildren in a grandparent’s care

• What it is: Healthy Connections Medicaid and Partners for Healthy Children are South Carolina’s main child health coverage paths.
• Who can get it or use it: Children under 19 may qualify through Medicaid or CHIP. South Carolina lists the Partners for Healthy Children income limit at 208% of the federal poverty level; for a family of four, that is $5,572.66 a month under the state’s posted 03/01/2025 limits. Children in DSS custody and placed with kinship caregivers also get Medicaid.
• How it helps: It covers doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, and other Medicaid services. If the child has a disability, the TEFRA pathway may help. For children under age 3 with delays, BabyNet is important.
• How to apply or use it: Apply at apply.scdhhs.gov, call 1-888-549-0820, or use the official Healthy Connections help page. If the child is denied, use the official SCDHHS appeal process.
• What to gather or know first: Have the child’s Social Security number if available, date of birth, address, any insurance cards, and proof of household income. If the child has major medical needs, also keep medical records and evaluations together.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

• What it is: South Carolina kinship families often stack child-only TANF, SNAP, WIC, and SC Voucher child care help.
• Who can get it or use it: For SNAP, the child can count in your household even if you do not yet have legal custody. For WIC, South Carolina says grandparents and other caregivers can sign up children under 5. If the family already receives Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP, WIC income rules are usually already met.
• How it helps: SNAP helps buy food. WIC helps with formula, healthy food, and nutrition support. DSS says SC Voucher can cover 52 weeks or more for children living with relatives who receive child-only TANF, although eligibility is handled in 52-week periods and families may need to reapply.
• How to apply or use it: Use the DSS Benefits Portal for SNAP and TANF, call WIC at 1-855-472-3432, and use South Carolina’s child care financial assistance system or the SC Child Care scholarship page. For child care provider help, call 1-800-476-0199.
• What to gather or know first: Keep IDs, income proof, rent or utility proof, the child’s birth date, and your work or school schedule. A co-pay may apply for child care.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers age 55 and older

• What it is: South Carolina’s Family Caregiver Support Program includes a special path called Seniors Raising Children.
• Who can get it or use it: Older relatives age 55 and up who are the child’s primary caregiver because the parents are unable or unwilling to provide care.
• How it helps: Services can include respite, counseling, support groups, school-related costs, diapers and baby products, and help connecting to other programs. The Department on Aging says 221 Seniors Raising Children clients were served in state fiscal year 2025. DSS’s kinship page says some regions may reimburse about $500 to $1,000 per child, as funds allow.
• How to apply or use it: Start with GetCareSC or call the South Carolina Department on Aging at 1-800-868-9095. Services are run through the state’s 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging.
• What to gather or know first: Have proof of your age, proof the child lives with you, and a short list of what is hurting most right now: food, day care, school costs, gas, respite, or counseling.

Legal custody vs. kinship care vs. informal caregiving

Choose the legal path on purpose: in South Carolina, these are not the same thing.

• Informal caregiving: The child lives with you, but there may be no court order. This is often how families start, but it is the weakest option for school, medical, and long-term stability.
• Power of attorney: A parent or legal custodian may be able to sign a temporary caregiving power of attorney under South Carolina law. That can help quickly, but it is usually temporary and comes with legal requirements.
• Family court custody or guardianship: This is the stronger private route when the child is living with you long-term. It can help with school decisions, child support, and medical authority.
• Formal DSS kinship care: This means child welfare and the court are involved. It is the main path to foster payments and KinGAP, but it also means ongoing oversight.

If you need court help, start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help resources, the Family Court filing-fee page, and South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592. The Judicial Branch lists a $150 filing fee for child custody and visitation actions, but fee waivers may be available if you cannot afford that cost.

School enrollment and medical consent issues

Get written authority fast. South Carolina’s caregiving power-of-attorney law allows an attorney-in-fact to enroll a child in the public school where the caregiver lives, and the law says the school must not delay enrollment when given a proper power of attorney and the usual residency documents. The same law also allows routine medical, dental, and mental health consent, but not major non-emergency medical or surgical treatment. See South Carolina’s temporary caregiving power-of-attorney law.

Important South Carolina warning: this is not just a handwritten note. The state law requires a background check on the adult receiving the authority and each household member age 18 or older, and the results must be kept with the power of attorney. In most cases, the power of attorney may not last longer than one year, and parents usually cannot use it while DSS protective services or an open DSS case is active unless DSS permits it.

For school, keep these papers together: the child’s birth certificate or other proof of age, your proof of address, any court or power-of-attorney papers, and the child’s South Carolina immunization record. The Department of Public Health says DPH Form 4024 is the valid school immunization record, and since August 1, 2025, parents and legal guardians of up-to-date children in grades 5K-12 can get it through the SIMON immunization portal.

If the child has a disability or special health care need, ask Family Connection of South Carolina for help with school services and Medicaid pathways. The state also points families to Family Connection for TEFRA help. Call 1-800-578-8750.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

Do not wait until you are already facing eviction. South Carolina does not have a special statewide housing subsidy just for grandparents raising grandchildren. Most families must use regular housing systems plus kinship paperwork.

SC Housing says it directly administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program in seven counties only: Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, and Lexington. For those counties, call 803-896-8888, option 3. In the rest of the state, housing voucher and public housing help is usually handled by the local housing authority, not SC Housing.

For older adults, the best first housing support is often through GetCareSC, SC 211, and your Area Agency on Aging. If you already have subsidized housing or a voucher and a child moves in, report the household change right away. Waiting can cause lease trouble, unit-size problems, or repayment claims later.

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

Ask for respite before you burn out. South Carolina’s Family Caregiver Support Program offers counseling, support groups, caregiver training, respite, and supplemental services through the 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging. In state fiscal year 2025, the program served 3,462 family caregivers and provided more than 226,000 hours of respite.

Regional kinship navigator providers also offer support groups, practical supplies, and one-on-one help. For library-based local help, see the South Carolina State Library GrandFamily Resource Centers. For Columbia-area families, DSS also points kinship caregivers to Richland Library social workers.

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

Move in this order: safety first, then paperwork, then benefits.

• Keep the child safe tonight. Save texts, discharge papers, jail papers, school notices, or any note that shows why the child is with you.
• Figure out whether DSS is involved. That answer changes almost everything.
• Get some written authority. If a parent is cooperative and there is no open DSS case, ask about a valid power of attorney or move toward family court custody.
• Apply for the child’s health coverage and food help first. Those usually matter before any court case is finished.
• Tell the school and doctor where the child is living now. Ask what papers they need, in writing if possible.
• Call regional support. A kinship navigator or Area Agency on Aging can often spot programs you will miss on your own.

Example: If you take in two grandchildren privately and there is no open DSS foster case, the first realistic South Carolina path is usually child-only TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, school paperwork, and Seniors Raising Children — not foster board payments.

How grandparents can apply for benefits in South Carolina without wasting time

• Start one folder. Put every ID, birth record, court paper, school paper, and medical card in one place. If an adult child is helping you, sit together and do this before making calls.
• Use the right portal for the right program. TANF and SNAP use the DSS Benefits Portal. Medicaid uses apply.scdhhs.gov. WIC uses its own South Carolina WIC application process.
• Use phone, mail, fax, or in-person options if the internet is hard. DSS says TANF can be filed online, in person, by mail, or by fax. WIC appointments can be in person or by phone. Healthy Connections help is available at 1-888-549-0820.
• Send proofs the way your county office accepts them. South Carolina lets TANF and SNAP clients submit verification by county fax, county email, mail, or a secure drop box at county offices. That matters when portals fail.
• Ask for accommodations. If you need disability help with DSS, the agency lists an ADA contact at 803-898-8080. WIC says free language help and other aids are available on request.
• Follow up quickly. If you have heard nothing, call DSS Connect 1-800-616-1309 or Healthy Connections 1-888-549-0820 instead of waiting for the next notice.

What documents grandparents need

• ☐ Your photo ID
• ☐ The child’s birth certificate or other proof of age
• ☐ The child’s Social Security number, if available
• ☐ Proof of relationship, such as birth records, marriage records, school records, or court papers
• ☐ Any court order, DSS paper, safety plan, or power of attorney
• ☐ Proof that the child lives with you now
• ☐ Proof of your address, rent, mortgage, or utility bill
• ☐ Income proof for SNAP, Medicaid, or child care if requested
• ☐ The child’s health insurance card, medicine list, and doctor names
• ☐ School records and the child’s South Carolina immunization record

Reality checks

• Child-only TANF is real, but it is small. It can help, but it usually will not cover rent, child care, food, clothing, and school costs by itself.

• Foster money does not start just because a caseworker asked you to help. In South Carolina, licensure and an open foster care line usually matter.

• Regional variation is real. Area Agencies on Aging, kinship navigators, school districts, and housing authorities do not all work the same way across the state.

• Expect repeat paperwork. Different agencies may ask for the same records again. Keep copies and write down who asked for what, and when.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming your retirement income blocks a child-only TANF grant.
• Waiting months for a parent to “fix it” while you pay everything with no paperwork.
• Thinking informal kinship care and licensed kinship foster care are the same.
• Not telling the school or doctor that the child moved.
• Missing county notices because the agency mailed them to an old address.
• Failing to ask whether the child can be added to SNAP right away.
• Ignoring child support because the parent says they have no job. Apply anyway if long-term care looks likely.

Best options by need

• I need cash right now: Child-only TANF, SNAP, WIC, and child support.
• I need school and doctor authority: A valid power of attorney if allowed, or family court custody or guardianship.
• I need bigger monthly support: Ask whether this is an open DSS foster case and whether licensed kinship foster care is possible.
• I need day care so I can work: SC Voucher and local early-childhood programs.
• I need a break and practical help: Seniors Raising Children, kinship navigators, and support groups.
• I need legal help but cannot pay much: South Carolina Legal Services and South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help tools.

What to do if you are denied, delayed, or blocked

• For TANF or SNAP: Call DSS Connect at 1-800-616-1309. Ask what proof is missing, how your county wants it sent, and whether a notice has already gone out. If you disagree, ask for a fair hearing right away. South Carolina lists the fair-hearing line as 1-800-311-7220; for SNAP, the state says the normal appeal window is 90 days.
• For Medicaid: Call 1-888-549-0820 and ask whether the problem is identity, income, residency, or missing verification. If needed, use the official SCDHHS appeal instructions.
• For kinship care or DSS problems: Ask for the caseworker’s supervisor, then call your regional DSS kinship coordinator. If the issue involves services to a child by a state agency, South Carolina says you can contact the Department of Children’s Advocacy at 1-800-206-1957.
• For school problems: Ask the district to give you a written list of missing papers. If you have a valid power of attorney or court order, point back to the state rule that enrollment should not be delayed. Escalate to the district enrollment office if the school front desk is stuck.
• For repeated delays: Keep a notebook with dates, names, phone numbers, and what each office told you. That record helps with supervisors, hearings, and legal aid.

Plan B and backup options

• If the parent disappears or becomes unsafe, move from informal care toward family court custody instead of waiting.
• If TANF is pending, still apply for SNAP, WIC, school meals, and Medicaid.
• If housing is the main problem, use SC 211, GetCareSC, and your local aging agency instead of waiting for a voucher list to reopen.
• If you cannot get clear answers, ask a kinship navigator to sit with you while you apply.
• If the child has serious medical or disability needs, ask about TEFRA, BabyNet, and Family Connection right away.

Local South Carolina resources

• South Carolina DSS county offices and client help: county office directory; DSS Connect 1-800-616-1309
• DSS Kinship Care Coordinators: official regional contact page
• Kinship SC statewide map: Kinship SC local resources
• Middle Tyger Community Center, Upstate: official site; 864-439-7760
• Epworth Children’s Home, Midlands and Pee Dee: official kinship page; 1-888-561-2932
• HALOS, Lowcountry: official kinship assistance page; 843-990-9570
• Healthy Connections Medicaid: official help page; 1-888-549-0820
• South Carolina Department on Aging / GetCareSC: service finder; 1-800-868-9095
• South Carolina Legal Services: official site; 1-888-346-5592
• South Carolina State Library GrandFamily Resource Centers: official guide
• Family Connection of South Carolina: official site; 1-800-578-8750
• SC 211: statewide community resource search; call 2-1-1

Special situations that matter in South Carolina

Seniors with disabilities

Ask for layered help. If you are an older caregiver with your own health problems, the best mix may be Seniors Raising Children for respite, Healthy Connections for the child, and Family Connection if the child has a disability or special health care need.

Rural seniors with limited access

Use phone and paper routes. Rural South Carolina families often lose time trying to force everything through portals. DSS accepts mail, fax, email, and county drop-box submissions for TANF and SNAP, WIC can schedule phone appointments, and GetCareSC can point you to the right Area Agency on Aging if the nearest office is far away.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get child-only TANF if I live on Social Security or retirement income?

Usually, yes. South Carolina’s TANF rules say that if you choose a child-only grant, your income and resources do not affect the child’s TANF amount. But the child’s own income can count, and a child who already gets SSI, foster board payments, kinship care payments, or subsidized adoption or guardianship payments is not eligible for TANF.

Can grandparents get foster care payments in South Carolina?

Yes, but not automatically. South Carolina generally requires an open DSS foster care case and kinship foster licensure. Once licensed, kinship caregivers receive the same foster-parent benefits and board rates that other licensed foster parents receive, according to the kinship licensing page and the board-rate page.

What is KinGAP, and when does it apply?

KinGAP is South Carolina’s kinship guardianship assistance program for children leaving foster care to live permanently with family when reunification and adoption are not good options. It applies only in certain open foster care cases, is not retroactive, and usually requires at least six straight months in a licensed foster home with the kinship caregiver.

Can I enroll my grandchild in school without legal custody?

Sometimes. A valid South Carolina caregiving power of attorney can allow school enrollment and routine medical decisions, and state law says the school should not delay enrollment when the paperwork is proper. But you still need the usual school records, especially proof of address and the child’s South Carolina immunization record. Without a court order or valid power of attorney, schools may push back.

Will my grandchild qualify for Medicaid or CHIP if I am on Medicare?

Possibly, yes. The child’s eligibility is separate from your Medicare status. South Carolina’s Healthy Connections income rules show that many children under 19 can qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even when the grandparent caregiver is older or on Medicare. If the child is in DSS custody, Medicaid is even more likely to be available.

Is there special help for grandparents age 55 and older in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina’s Seniors Raising Children program is specifically for older relatives age 55 and up who are the child’s primary caregiver. Help varies by region, but it can include respite, support groups, counseling, and some supplemental spending on child-related needs. Start with GetCareSC or call 1-800-868-9095.

What if I cannot afford family court or a lawyer?

Start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help page and call South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592. The Judicial Branch lists a $150 filing fee for child custody and visitation actions, but the court can waive filing fees in some low-income cases if you file the right request to proceed without paying up front.

Resumen en español

Lo más importante: Carolina del Sur no tiene un solo pago estatal para todos los abuelos que crían nietos. La ayuda real suele venir de una combinación de TANF solo para el menor, Medicaid o CHIP, WIC, SNAP y apoyo local para cuidadores mayores. Si DSS tiene la custodia del menor y usted obtiene licencia como hogar de parentesco, puede abrirse el camino a pagos de foster care o a KinGAP.

Empiece por reunir documentos, pedir cobertura médica para el menor y solicitar TANF solo para el menor si corresponde. Si usted tiene 55 años o más, pregunte por el programa Seniors Raising Children a través de GetCareSC. Para ayuda práctica, use el mapa de Kinship SC o llame a Epworth, HALOS o Middle Tyger según su región. Para preguntas legales, llame a South Carolina Legal Services al 1-888-346-5592.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 7, 2026, next review August 7, 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, contacts, dollar amounts, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official South Carolina program, office, school district, court, or contractor before you act.