Start Your process Through Social Security, Not the State

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration, not by South Carolina. You explore directly to Social Security, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security field office. South Carolina does not have a separate state disability program that runs parallel to these federal programs.

The state does play a role after you explore: if your case is denied and you request a hearing, the Administrative Law Judge who hears your case will be located in South Carolina, and the state's Disability information Services (DDS) office will review medical evidence on Social Security's behalf. But the process itself, the decision to approve or deny, and the payment of benefits all come from the federal Social Security Administration.

Which program you pursue depends on your work history and income. SSDI is based on your own work record or your parent's or spouse's work record. SSI is based on financial need and is available to people with very limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Many people in South Carolina pursue both at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore to Social Security directly online, by phone, or at a field office in your city or county—not to a South Carolina state agency.
  • Bring or upload medical records, work history, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and bank account information before you start.
  • The Social Security Administration will send your case to South Carolina's Disability information Services, which takes two to three months to make a medical decision.
  • If you are denied, you can request a reconsideration, then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in South Carolina, each stage taking several months.
  • While your case is pending, you may be able to work part-time under Social Security's work incentive rules without losing your case or future benefits.

What Documents You Need Before You explore

Gather these documents before you start your process. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance that Social Security will ask you to send them in later. If you do not have all of them, you can still start your process—Social Security will tell you which ones are missing and ask you to provide them.

Medical records and treatment history: Bring the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider who has treated you for your condition in the past three years. Include dates of visits if you have them. Social Security will contact these providers and request your records directly. Do not try to collect all the records yourself first—Social Security prefers to request them.

Work history: List every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, dates you worked there, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years.

Proof of identity and citizenship: Bring your birth certificate, passport, or state ID. If you were not born in the United States, bring your green card, visa, or other proof of legal residency status.

Social Security number: Have your own Social Security number ready, and if you are explore based on a parent's or spouse's work record, have theirs as well.

Bank account information: Have the routing number and account number for the bank account where you want benefits deposited. Social Security requires direct deposit.

how the process works Online, by Phone, or In Person

You have three ways to start your process. Online is usually fastest if you have all your documents ready. By phone works if you prefer to talk through the process. In person at a field office gives you a chance to ask questions face-to-face, though wait times at offices can be long.

Online: Go to ssa.gov and click "explore for Disability." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes. You can save your progress and come back later. When you finish, Social Security will send you a confirmation number and tell you what happens next. You will receive a letter in the mail within two weeks confirming receipt of your process.

By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your documents and information ready. The call takes 20 to 30 minutes. Ask for a confirmation number before you hang up. You will receive a letter in the mail confirming your process.

In person: Find your local Social Security field office at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 to get the address and hours. Bring all your documents with you. Bring a photo ID. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but calling ahead to ask about wait times is a good idea. The interview takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will receive a receipt before you leave.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

After Social Security receives your process, they send it to South Carolina's Disability information Services (DDS). DDS is a state agency that works under contract with Social Security to review medical evidence and make the initial decision on whether you meet the definition of disability.

DDS will request your medical records from the doctors and providers you listed. This takes two to four weeks. Once they have your records, a medical consultant and a disability examiner review them to decide whether your condition prevents you from working. This review takes another two to four weeks. The total time from process to initial decision is usually two to three months, though it can be longer if your medical records are hard to obtain or if your case is complex.

Social Security will send you a letter with the decision. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason and tell you how to request reconsideration.

While you are waiting, you can work part-time. Social Security has rules that let you earn money without losing your case or your future benefits. These are called work incentives. The most common one is the trial work period, which lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without affecting your benefits. After the trial work period ends, there is an extended may be able to access period where you can still receive benefits if your earnings stay below a certain amount. Ask Social Security about these rules when you explore.

The Reconsideration and Hearing Process in South Carolina

If Social Security denies your process, you have the right to request reconsideration. This means DDS will review your case again, usually with a different medical consultant and examiner. You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. You can request it online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local field office.

When you request reconsideration, you can submit new medical evidence. If you have seen a doctor since your process was denied, bring those new records. New evidence gives DDS a reason to look at your case differently. Reconsideration takes another two to three months.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal hearing where you can present your case in front of a judge. The judge is not a Social Security employee—they work for the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), which is part of Social Security but operates independently. You have 60 days from your second denial letter to request a hearing.

In South Carolina, ALJ hearings are held in several cities, including Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg. You can attend the hearing in person, by video, or by phone. You can bring a representative—a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a family member. Many people hire a disability lawyer at this stage. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is limited by law to 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200. The hearing itself takes 30 minutes to an hour. The judge will ask you questions about your medical condition, your work history, and why you cannot work. After the hearing, the judge issues a written decision, usually within two to four months.

Finding Help in South Carolina

If you need help with your process or your case, several organizations in South Carolina offer free support. The South Carolina Disability Rights Council provides information and advocacy for people with disabilities. The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program offers free help to people explore for or receiving SSDI or SSI. You can find local legal aid offices through the South Carolina Bar Association's website.

If you decide to hire a lawyer, make sure they are authorized to represent you before Social Security. You can check this on Social Security's website or ask the lawyer directly. Do not pay a lawyer upfront—they should work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if you win.

Your local Social Security field office can also answer questions about your process. The staff there cannot make decisions or speed up your case, but they can explain what is happening and what to expect next. Call 1-800-772-1213 to reach your local office or to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my disability case is pending?

Yes. Social Security's trial work period lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without affecting your case or your future benefits. After nine months, you enter an extended may be able to access period where you can still receive benefits if your monthly earnings stay below a certain amount (the amount changes each year). Tell Social Security about any work you do so they can track your trial work period correctly.

How long does it take to get a decision?

The initial decision from DDS usually takes two to three months. If you are denied and request reconsideration, add another two to three months. If you request a hearing, add another four to six months. Some cases move faster, and some take longer, depending on how complex your medical condition is and how quickly your doctors respond to records requests.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

You do not need to collect them yourself. When you explore, give Social Security the names and addresses of your doctors and providers. Social Security will request the records directly. If a provider is slow to respond, Social Security may send a follow-up request or contact them by phone. You can also contact your doctors yourself and ask them to send records to Social Security faster.

Do I need a lawyer to explore?

No. You can explore on your own. Many people are approved without a lawyer. A lawyer is most useful if your case is denied and you request a hearing, because the hearing process is more formal and a lawyer knows how to present medical evidence effectively. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask about free legal aid in your area.

Can I explore for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Yes. If you have a work history but your income is very low, you may be able to receive both. When you explore, tell Social Security that you want to be considered for both programs. They will evaluate you under both sets of rules and pay you whichever amount is higher, or a combination of both if you meet the requirements for each.