SSDI in South Carolina: Eligibility, Benefits, & How to Apply

South Carolinians who can’t work because of a disability and need help paying for their essentials like food, utilities, and housing can apply for SSDI in South Carolina. 

SSDI is a disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. If your application for SSDI is approved you can use the money that you receive from the SSA for any of your living or medical expenses. There are no restrictions on how you spend your benefit money. 

SSDI Eligibility Criteria in South Carolina

Applying for SSDI can be a tough process. You will have to include supporting documentation with your application showing that you meet the SSA’s criteria for SSDI eligibility in South Carolina. 

You will need to prove your disability, meet the SSA’s work requirements, and make sure that you have provided all of the supporting documents you can with your application to have the best chance of having your application approved. 

Medical Disability Requirements

The first hurdle you have to clear is to show that you meet the SSA’s medical disability requirements. To do that you must have a letter of diagnosis stating that you have a medical condition that is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. Then you will also need to show that you meet all of the requirements in the listing for the condition that you have. 

You can search the Blue Book on the SSA’s website. Or you can flip through a hard copy of the book at any Social Security Administration office in South Carolina. 

Submitting your medical records with your application is a good way to prove that you meet the SSA’s requirements. But you should submit all of your medical records, including things like blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, PET scans, a list of prescription medication, doctor’s notes, and more. The more evidence you submit the better your chances of approval are. 

Work Requirements

You will also have to include proof with your application that you meet the SSA’s work requirements for SSDI in South Carolina. Work credits prove that you have worked in the past and paid into the Social Security system. 

The SSA uses a formula to determine how many work credits you should have based on your age and how many years you have worked. 

The work credit requirements by age in South Carolina are:

  • Under Age 24: 6 work credits, or about 1.5 years of work.
  • Ages 24-30: You need to have earned credits for half the time between age 21 and the age you become disabled. For example: If you become disabled at age 27, you need 12 work credits or 3 years of work. 
  • Ages 31 and Older: You typically need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years prior to your disability. However, the total number of credits required increases with age. Here’s a general guideline:
    • Age 31-42: 20 credits (5 years of work)
    • Age 43-54: 24 credits (6 years of work)
    • Age 55-64: 28 credits (7 years of work)
    • Age 65 and older: 40 credits (10 years of work)

Financial Requirements

Part of the application process for SSDI in South Carolina also includes showing that you meet the SSA’s financial requirements. The financial requirements were created to make sure that the money from SSDI is going to people who really are disabled and can’t work at any kind of paid job. The SSA’s financial requirements for SSDI are:

  • Limited Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Limited or no income from any kind of substantial gainful activity. Substantial gainful activity is just another way of saying paid work. If you are doing any kind of paid work while you are waiting for your application to be approved, you can’t earn more than $1,470 per month (or $2,460 per month if you are blind) in order to qualify for SSDI. If you earn more than that the SSA will assume you can work to pay your expenses and don’t need benefits. 
  • Trial Work Period: If you are getting SSDI and you want to try working to see if you are physically able to work you can do a trial work period and still receive SSDI. During a trial work period, you can earn up to $1,050 per month for nine months without affecting your benefits.
  • Work Incentives: If you have done a trial work period, you may still receive benefits for a period while earning above the SGA limit, thanks to work incentives designed to support your transition back to work.

State-Specific Eligibility Rules 

There are no state-specific eligibility rules for applying for SSDI in South Carolina. To be eligible for SSDI in South Carolina you must meet the same eligibility requirements set by the SSA. 

SSDI Benefits in South Carolina

The amount of SSDI benefits that you will receive can be calculated using this formula from the SSA:

Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) Formula

The PIA is the base amount used by the Social Security Administration to calculate SSDI benefits. In 2024, the formula used to calculate the PIA is:

    90% of the first $1,370 of your AIME,

    32% of your AIME over $1,370 and up to $8,194, and

    15% of your AIME over $8,194.

The maximum SSDI benefit in 2024 is approximately $3,627 per month. The average SSDI payment in South Carolina is $1,344.70.

Healthcare Benefits

South Carolina residents who receive SSDI benefits can qualify for Medicare after getting SSDI for 24 months. If you need health care while you are waiting to be enrolled in Medicare, you may be able to qualify for Medicaid or other state health programs. 

Other State-Specific Benefits 

If you are receiving SSDI in South Carolina, you may also be eligible for:

  • SNAP food assistance
  • WIC benefits
  • Section 8 housing vouchers

Applying for SSDI in South Carolina

Residents of South Carolina who are applying for SSDI should really talk to a lawyer who specializes in Social Security cases. It can be a big help to talk with a professional who understands what medical evidence you need and can help you make sure your application is complete before you submit it. 

If you don’t fill out the application correctly or include all the documents necessary to process the application, it may be denied. If you miss any of the deadlines for turning in paperwork your application will automatically be denied. 

It’s easy and convenient to submit your application for SSDI in South Carolina. You can apply online, over the phone, or in person at your local SSA office.

Documents Needed for Application

When you apply for SSDI you need to include copies of all these documents along with your medical documentation and application forms:

  • Proof of identity
  • Medical records
  • Work history
  • Financial Records
  • Social Security number

Application Timeline

Expect to wait a few months before you get an answer once you have submitted your application for SSDI in South Carolina. It can take 3-6 months, or longer, to receive a decision on an SSDI application.

If your initial application is denied, that doesn’t mean it’s over. You can file an appeal, which is called reconsideration by the SSA. The appeal could also take 3-6 months after you file though. It can take some time because there are a lot of people submitting applications and appeals. 

Appeals Process for Denied SSDI Applications in South Carolina

You are not alone if your application for SSDI is denied at first. Most applicants have their claim for SSDI benefits denied the first time, and usually, it’s because of a small mistake on a form or not having enough medical documentation.

You can file a request for reconsideration. You only have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file a request for reconsideration though, so don’t wait. 

If your reconsideration is denied, you can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. And if that is denied you can ask for a hearing before the Appeals Council. You can even file a lawsuit in Federal court as a last resort. 

How Long Does the Appeals Process Take?

When you submit a request for reconsideration you may not get a decision for up to six months. And if your reconsideration is denied the next appeal could take six months to a year. And the more appeals you need to file the longer each one takes. To speed up the process make sure that you meet all requested deadlines.  Including all the forms and documents that you need and submitting your requests promptly can help shorten the amount of time that you have to wait. 

Resources for SSDI Applicants in South Carolina

Some resources and agencies that can help you apply for SSDI in South Carolina are:

Working with a South Carolina SSDI Lawyer

If you’re worried that your application will be denied, or if you have questions about the application process, talking to a South Carolina SSDI lawyer is a good idea. A Social Security lawyer can also help you file a request for reconsideration if your application is denied. A Social Security lawyer can help you with things like:

  • Understanding the SSA’s deadlines
  • Understanding the application and how to fill it out
  • Gathering medical evidence and making sure you have as much evidence as possible
  • Filling out a request for reconsideration
  • Filing appeals

Fill out the Free Case Evaluation now to get connected with a South Carolina SSDI lawyer who can help you with your South Carolina SSDI application. 

Additional Resources 

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