Additional SNAP Dollars The South Carolina Department of Social Services has received a federal waiver to provide additional SNAP dollars to South Carolinians already receiving SNAP benefits. This will bring each SNAP households up to the maximum benefit allowed based on their household size. Households that already receive the maximum will not receive an emergency supplement. You can learn more HERE.
Apply for Benefits Over the Phone If you are practicing social distancing or can’t get to a location to apply for SNAP or Medicaid, you can call the SC Thrive Contact Center to apply for benefits over the phone. The SC Thrive Contact Center can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 800.726.8774.
Caregiving during the Pandemic Are you a caregiver? Our caregivers across the state have a different perspective when it comes to Coronavirus. The Family Caregiver Alliance has put together a Coronavirus resource page for Family Caregivers during the pandemic that you can find HERE. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has put together a guide for parents and caregivers regarding infectious disease outbreaks that you can find HERE.
Coronavirus for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Mothers The CDC has put out information specifically for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers concerning Coronavirus. You can learn more HERE.
Elder LGBT+ & Coronavirus The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging tells us that older LGBT+ adults and older people living with HIV have a higher risk for complications with COVID-19 and are less likely to reach out to health and aging providers. They’ve put together tips and resources for LGBT+ including fact sheets, emergency planning and more. You can find elder LGBT+ Coronavirus resources HERE.
Food Insecurity Resources To help alleviate stress for families and individuals seeking healthy food sources, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina has been working with partners around the state and nation to create a database of food banks, farmers markets, and other foodservice providers the public can access to find healthy food in their county. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. Research does show, however, that fresh fruit and vegetables support the immune system, which is something everyone should be concerned about. Find statewide food insecurity Coronavirus resources HERE.
Mesothelioma & COVID-19 Individuals with mesothelioma could be at risk for complications with Coronavirus. The Mesothelioma Center has a blog with information pertinent to mesothelioma patients and cancer patients. You can find their blog HERE.
Military Caregiver Resources
Are you a caregiver for a Military Member or Veteran? PsychArmor Institute has put together a toolkit of Coronavirus resources for Military caregivers. You can find the toolkit HERE.
New COVID-19 App
Apple has released an app and website that helps answer questions about COVID-19 symptoms. It also provides recommendations from the CDC on the next steps. While the app is only available for Apple users, other individuals can access the same online tool HERE. You can learn more HERE.
SC Department of Health and Human Services On March 17, SC DHHS announced policy changes related to Coronavirus. These changes will help cover testing and patient costs, allow prescription drugs to be refilled early, allow telehealth visits, and more. Learn more about these specific policy changes HERE.