TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 43-5-255 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FROM ESTABLISHING FINANCIAL RESOURCE LIMITS APPLICABLE TO DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT EXCEED FEDERAL LIMITS OR EXEMPTING HOUSEHOLDS FROM THE RESOURCE LIMITS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 5, Title 43 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 43-5-255.    When determining the eligibility of a household to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in no case shall the Department of Social Services establish resource limit standards that exceed the standards specified in 7 U.S.C. Section 2014(g)(1), unless expressly required by federal law. In no case shall categorical eligibility exempting a household from these resource limits be granted for any noncash, in-kind or other benefit, unless expressly required by federal law."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.