AARP South Carolina statement asking Gov. McMaster to reconsider lifting his COVID-19 state of emergency declaration in light of the harm it will do to those still suffering from the economic impact of the pandemic.

AARP South Carolina state director, Teresa Arnold, recently released a statement detailing AARP’s concerns about Governor McMaster’s lifting his state of emergency declaration in light .

“AARP South Carolina is concerned about Governor McMaster’s decision to lift the COVID-19 state of emergency order that has been in place since March 2020. Lifting the emergency order also removes emergency SNAP benefits for over 300,000 South Carolinian households still suffering from the economic impact of the pandemic. South Carolina will lose over $52 million a month in federal funds allocated for SNAP benefits and typical older recipients will lose significant benefits leaving them with about $4 a day per household to help meet their essential nutritional needs. This decision could have a devastating health and economic impact on older low-income South Carolinians, who account for about 44% of households receiving SNAP. Many of these folks already routinely have to decide whether to pay for food or overpriced prescription drugs. We ask that Governor McMaster please reconsider his decision.”