SSDRC




Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


Getting a Disability Lawyer in South Carolina for a Social Security or SSI Claim



At what point, if any, should those filing for social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits in South Carolina consult with a disability lawyer? The answer to this question varies according to the individual, but in general there are three sets of circumstances in which you should consider getting a lawyer in South Carolina if you wish to claim disability:

1. Is your disability claim fairly straightforward, or is your condition one that is less clearly defined, or one that you think may be denied disability? If your medical condition is one that is not overtly apparent, or one that is listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) book of impairments (commonly referred to as the “blue book), then you will most likely be relying on medical records to help define both your condition and its symptoms, as well as to prove how this inhibits you from earning a living wage. Examples of such cases include chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, etc. In these types of cases there can be a lot of paperwork and going back and forth between the disability examiner and the applicant.

2. If you think you could benefit from having a lawyer handle your case, or if your condition inhibits your ability to gather the necessary information, then by all means consult an experienced disability attorney sooner rather than later. From the moment it is notified that you have legal representation, the social security administration is obligated to keep your lawyer informed as to the status of your case. A good lawyer will make sure that all of your paperwork is filed on time, that the disability examiner gets the medical records needed to render a decision, and that any disability appeals are automatically submitted within the designated timeframe. Retaining a lawyer early in the disability process will also allow him or her to begin formulating a strong case and convincing argument for approval at from the outset should your case (like most in South Carolina) be turned down by the state disability examiner, and subsequently be scheduled for an administrative hearing.

3. If you have already applied for SSD or SSI benefits in South Carolina, has your initial claim been denied? If so, you may want to think about getting a disability lawyer to handle your request for reconsideration appeal. Almost 80 percent of all reconsideration appeals are denied—an experienced disability attorney may be able to spot weaknesses in your initial claim, or may be able to suggest other medical exams or evaluations that could be performed to strengthen your case.

4. Have both your initial claim and your first appeal, review or reconsideration, been denied by the state disability determination services agency? If so, it is definitely advisable to retain legal counsel. This is because the next appeal will be considered by a federal administrative law judge at hearing, and statistics have shown that disability judges are significantly more likely to grant disability benefits to claimants when their case is presented by an attorney. Individuals who are represented by an attorney at their disability hearing win benefits 60 percent of the time—only four out of 10 applicants that choose to represent themselves before the judge are successful. At any rate, due to backlogs in the disability system in South Carolina and across the nation, it could take up to a year to have your case before a judge—after that long wait, it’s smart not to take any chances with the outcome.















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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers














    Questions and Answers about Social Security Disability and SSI Disability


  • Questions about Disability Lawyers and Hiring a Disability Attorney

  • If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?

  • Do Most People Have To Go To A Disability Hearing order to Get Approved For Disability?

  • When is a Person Considered Fully Disabled by Social Security?

  • After you file for SSD, the Disability Examiner may contact you for additional information

  • What Does It Mean If you Are Denied For Disability Because Of Other Work?

  • Medical Evidence Used on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim

  • Does The Social Security Reconsideration Take as Long As The Disability Application?

  • What Are the Chances of Winning an SSA Disability Appeal?

  • How do I File for Social Security Disability?

  • You Must Give Social Security Disability Your Work History When You Apply

  • How Far Back Does Social Security Look At Your Medical Records?

  • Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

  • What will trigger a review of a social security disability claim?

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded

  • Social Security Disability Claim Status

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • What Happens When You File A Second SSA Disability Claim?

  • Your Chances With SSDI On the First Appeal

  • How Disabling Does A Condition Have To Be For Social Security, SSDI Benefits?

  • SSI Disability for Children and Age Appropriate Activities

  • How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)?

  • Social Security Disability Denial, Does It Matter If I Get Denied On Reconsideration?

  • Social Security Disability SSI and the Onset Date

  • What does a lawyer do to help on a Social Security disability claim?

  • How Long Does It Usually Take To Get Disability After I see Their Medical Examiner?

  • Will a Disability attorney try to Help You get Your Medical Records?

  • How will Social Security Determine if you get Disability Benefits?

  • Applying for Disability - How long does it take to get Social Security benefits?

  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • What Are the Social Security Disability Requirements For Personal Assets?

  • How do you get an SSI disability application started?

  • Receiving a Social Security Disability Award Letter

  • What is a Social Security Disability SSI Durational Denial?

  • How Do I Find Out How My Disability Appeal Is Going?

  • SSDI Decision or SSI Decison - How long does it take?

  • Appearing at the ALJ Hearing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • Can a Lawyer Speed Up My Disability Case?

  • Will SSD Be Based On Newer Or Older Medical Records?

  • Social Security Disability SSI: Medical Evidence, Records, and Limitations

  • The Medical Vocational Allowance for Social Security Disability and SSI cases

  • How Long Does It Take To Get SSDI If You Have To Appeal?

  • The Sequence of Steps to be Approved for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Do you get medical healthcare benefits with Social Security disability ?

  • To Apply for Disability with Depression

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability

  • Do You have A Chance Of Losing Disability Benefits If Your Case Gets Reviewed?

  • How are Decisions on SSDI and SSI Disability Claims made by SSA?

  • If you get Social Security disability benefits do you get Medicare or Medicaid?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Terms and Definitions

  • Social Security Retirement Questions