What the Disability Board in Charleston does
The Disability Board in Charleston, South Carolina is a state agency that handles decisions about disability claims under South Carolina's workers' compensation system. If you have been injured at work or have an occupational illness, the Disability Board reviews your case and decides whether you are may have access to to benefits. This is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) — the Disability Board handles work-related injuries only, while SSDI covers disabilities from any cause.
The board does not handle Social Security claims. If your disability is not work-related, you would need to contact Social Security directly or explore other state programs. But if your injury or illness happened because of your job, the Disability Board is the state body that will make the information about your workers' compensation claim.
Key Takeaways
- The Disability Board in Charleston handles workers' compensation claims for work-related injuries and occupational illnesses in South Carolina.
- You can contact the board by phone, mail, or in person at their Charleston office to ask about your claim status or file a dispute.
- If you disagree with a decision, you have the right to request a hearing before the board, and you can bring a lawyer or representative to speak for you.
- The board's decisions can be appealed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals if you believe the law was not followed correctly.
How to contact the Disability Board in Charleston
The South Carolina Disability Board is located in Columbia, the state capital, not in Charleston itself. However, you can reach them by phone, mail, or through their website to handle matters related to your claim. The main phone line is (803) 737-5744. When you call, have your claim number ready if you already have one.
You can also mail documents or written requests to the board at their Columbia office. If you need to appear in person for a hearing, the board will notify you of the location and date. Some hearings may be held in Charleston or other regional locations depending on where your injury occurred and where you live.
The board's website has forms you can read, including forms to request a hearing or to submit additional evidence about your case. You can also find information about the status of pending cases through their online system.
What happens when you file a workers' compensation claim
When you report a work-related injury to your employer, they are required to file a report with their insurance carrier. The insurance company then decides whether to accept or deny your claim. If they accept it, they begin paying your medical bills and wage benefits. If they deny it, you have the right to challenge that decision through the Disability Board.
The board does not automatically review every claim. You must request a hearing if you disagree with the insurance company's decision. At the hearing, you can present evidence — medical records, witness statements, your own testimony — to show that your injury is work-related and that you are may have access to to benefits.
The board's administrative law judge will listen to both sides and issue a decision. This decision explains whether you won or lost and why. If either side disagrees with the decision, they can request that the full board review it, or appeal to the courts.
What benefits you might receive through workers' compensation
If your workers' compensation claim is accepted, you may receive several types of benefits. Medical benefits cover the cost of treatment related to your injury — doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications. These benefits continue as long as the treatment is necessary.
Wage benefits replace part of your income while you are unable to work. The amount depends on your average weekly wage before the injury and the type of disability. Temporary total disability pays benefits while you are healing and expected to return to work. Permanent partial disability pays a lump sum or ongoing benefits if your injury causes lasting damage that affects your ability to earn.
Permanent total disability benefits are available if your injury prevents you from working at any job. Vocational rehabilitation services may also be available to help you retrain for a different job if you cannot return to your old position.
How to request a hearing before the board
To request a hearing, you must file a form called a Request for Hearing with the Disability Board. You can read this form from their website or request it by phone. The form asks for your name, claim number, the insurance company's name, and a brief explanation of why you disagree with their decision.
You must file your request within a certain time frame — usually within one year of the insurance company's decision, though there are exceptions. Once the board receives your request, they will schedule a hearing and send you a notice with the date, time, and location.
You do not need a lawyer to request a hearing or to attend one, but you have the right to bring one. Many workers bring a lawyer because the process can be complex and the insurance company often has a lawyer present. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask the board about low-cost legal services in your area.
What to bring to your hearing
Bring all documents that support your claim. This includes medical records from your doctors, hospital discharge papers, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs), and any written statements from your employer or coworkers about how the injury happened. Bring pay stubs or tax returns that show your income before the injury, because wage benefits are calculated based on what you were earning.
If you have written statements from witnesses who saw the injury happen, bring those too. Bring a list of any medications you are taking and any medical equipment you use because of the injury. If you have been unable to work, bring documentation of that — letters from your doctor saying you cannot work, or records showing you have not been employed since the injury.
Bring the insurance company's denial letter or the decision you are challenging. Bring your own notes about what happened on the day of the injury, written as soon as you can remember the details. The more specific your evidence, the stronger your case.
What happens after the board makes a decision
The board will issue a written decision that explains what it found and what benefits, if any, you are may have access to to. If you won, the insurance company must begin paying the benefits the board ordered. If you lost, you have the right to appeal.
An appeal means asking a higher authority to review the board's decision. You can request that the full Disability Board review the administrative law judge's decision, or you can appeal directly to the South Carolina Court of Appeals. An appeal to the court must argue that the board made a legal error — not straightforward that you disagree with the decision.
If you appeal to the court, you will almost certainly need a lawyer. Court appeals are more formal and follow stricter rules than board hearings. The court will review the record of what happened at your hearing and decide whether the board followed the law correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Disability Board the same as Social Security Disability?
No. The Disability Board handles only work-related injuries and occupational illnesses under South Carolina's workers' compensation law. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) covers disabilities from any cause — work-related or not — and is a federal program. You may be able to pursue both if your injury qualifies under both systems, but they are separate programs with different rules.
How long does it take to get a hearing?
The time varies depending on how busy the board is and how complex your case is. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Once you request a hearing, the board will send you a notice with the scheduled date. If you need more time to gather evidence or find a lawyer, you can ask the board to postpone the hearing.
Can I work while my claim is being decided?
Yes, you can work if you are able to. However, if you are receiving temporary total disability benefits, those benefits may stop or be reduced if you return to work. Tell the insurance company if you go back to work, even part-time, because they need to know about any income you are earning.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to request a hearing or to attend one. However, if you want legal help, contact South Carolina Legal Services or your local bar association's lawyer referral service. Some lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your benefits if you win rather than charging an upfront fee.
Can I change doctors during my workers' compensation case?
The rules about choosing your doctor depend on whether the claim has been accepted or is still being disputed. Once a claim is accepted, you may have limited choice about which doctors you can see — the insurance company may require you to use doctors in their network. Ask your insurance company or the Disability Board about your options for changing doctors.