South Carolina Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI

If you live in South Carolina and are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These are federal government benefit programs that are administered by Social Security offices in South Carolina. South Carolina's Disability Determination Services agency also plays a part in granting these disability benefits.

If you receive SSDI or SSI, you are also eligible for health insurance through Medicare or South Carolina's Medicaid program.

South Carolina does not offer temporary disability benefits, though some employers offer both long-term and short-term disability policies through private insurance companies.

Social Security Offices in South Carolina

In South Carolina, you can apply for SSDI or SSI through your local Social Security office. Browse a list of South Carolina Social Security offices or use the SSA Office Locator to find the office closest to you.

South Carolina Supplement

South Carolina offers a state supplement to the federal SSI benefit for some residents of the state. This supplement is available to South Carolina residents who receive Supplemental Security Income and are residing in a licensed long-term care facility or an assisted living facility. Most of the supplemental payment goes to the facility.

The South Carolina supplement is administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS). Use the DHHS Office Locator to find the office in your county where you can apply for the supplement.

Health Insurance

If you are receiving SSDI disability, after you have been receiving benefits for two years, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare. If you are receiving SSI disability, you are automatically eligible for Medicaid.

South Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Although you must apply for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), it is South Carolina's Disability Determination Services (DDS) that makes the actual decisions on South Carolina disability claims. South Carolina DDS offices are located in Charleston, Greenville, and West Columbia. You can contact South Carolina DDS at 800-832-7526.

Getting Help From a Disability Lawyer

If you would like assistance obtaining disability benefits, or if you need to appeal a denial of benefits, you may want to contact a South Carolina Social Security attorney.