Help in South Carolina
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 22 places in South Carolina, most of them in Greenville, Columbia and Charleston, plus 11 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (13) and after prison or jail (11).
SC 211 (Midlands)
Round-the-clock information line that connects callers to food, shelter, utility help and other local services. Dial 211 in Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, or use the toll-free number from anywhere in the state.
Chafee / ETV Program (Transition Services and Support Division)
Funds for current and former foster youth ages 14 to 21 covering school fees, tutoring, college costs, job training, driver's education and rental deposits. Requests go through a DSS case manager using Form 30198.
Transitions Homeless Center
Columbia's main adult shelter and day center at Main and Elmwood. Men and women get a bed, three meals a day and case management aimed at income and permanent housing, with tracks for ages 18 to 24, veterans and older adults.
Shepherd's Gate
Greenville emergency shelter for women and mothers with young children, offering beds, meals, free laundry, counseling and case management. Walk-in intake is held each morning.
South Carolina Legal Services
Free civil legal aid for low-income South Carolinians: evictions and landlord disputes, family matters, Orders of Protection, benefits denials and record issues. One statewide intake line routes callers to the nearest of its offices.
Vital Records Section
State office for certified South Carolina birth certificates. The $12 search fee covers one certified copy if the record is found, and every request needs a current photo ID. Mail requests go to the West Columbia P.O. box.
Identification Cards
An original SC ID card or renewal is free for anyone 17 or older. Bring Form 447-NC, your birth certificate and recent proof of a South Carolina address to any branch; a temporary certificate is issued on the spot and the card arrives by mail in 7 to 15 business days.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Food benefits loaded to an EBT card. Apply through the DSS Benefits Portal or at a county office; the Richland County office on Two Notch Road handles Columbia-area walk-ins. Able-bodied adults without dependents face a three-month limit unless they meet work rules.
Healthy Connections Medicaid
South Carolina's Medicaid program. Apply at apply.scdhhs.gov without creating an ID.me account, by mailed paper form, or in person at a county office, FQHC or hospital. Pregnant applicants may get care while the application is pending.
National lines that work in South Carolina
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.