How Long Does it Take to Get Disability Benefits in South Carolina?

Many people in need of SSDI benefits ask, “How Long Does it Take to Get Disability Benefits in South Carolina?” Each SSDI application is different because each applicant’s medical situation and job history are different. You can’t know exactly how long your Social Security Disability claim will take until you get into your specific case.

Waiting and not knowing, though, adds more worry to an already worrisome time. The experienced South Carolina Social Security Disability lawyers at Pilzer Klein can give you a realistic picture of what your case might take and what you can expect during each step of the process.

At Pilzer Klein, we’ve helped thousands of people in Greenville, Asheville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and all across South Carolina to get through the application process and gain approval for benefits for decades. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’re ready to help you.

Seeking Social Security Disability Is a Process

If you can’t work due to a serious medical condition, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can help you avoid financial disaster and regain much-needed stability. However, most people are denied when they first apply for Social Security Disability Benefits.

In South Carolina, only 37.6 percent of initial claims in 2020 were approved for benefit payments, according to Social Security Administration (SSA) data. When your Social Security Disability is denied, you’re looking at an involved appeals process that can drag on.

It’s complicated, but a disability lawyer can be your guide. No matter where you are in applying for disability benefits or appealing a disability denial, we strongly encourage you to get legal help.

Average Times for Disability Benefits in South Carolina

Here are some processing times for Social Security Disability applications:

Initial Applications:

• 12 months: Processing time at the initial level can be over a year.
• 60 days: If your initial application is denied, you’ll have 60 days to file for an appeal. Then you’ll again need to wait for an answer.

Levels of Appeal:

If rejected at any point, you can choose to take your case to the next level. Each step takes time, but it may be impossible to predict exactly how long the process will take for you.

• Reconsideration: You start your disability appeal by asking for a reconsideration. However, approval rates are low at the reconsideration stage.
• Disability Hearing: The next step in appealing is going to a disability hearing. There is a wait for that, but a larger percentage of people are approved at his level than on reconsideration.
• Appeals Council: If you are denied again by the disability judge, next you go to Social Security’s Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: When you’ve reached the end of all your avenues to appeal within Social Security, you can file a civil suit in a federal district.

An experienced disability attorney in South Carolina knows the challenges at every level. You can start by having Pilzer Klein provide an initial consultation on your situation, at no charge.

How Can a Social Security Disability Lawyer in South Carolina Help Expedite the Process?

An experienced Social Security disability attorney can provide invaluable assistance throughout the application and appeals process, often helping to expedite things and increase your chances of approval:

• Evaluating your initial eligibility and identifying whether you have a qualifying disability
• Ensuring your claim is properly filed
• Gathering supporting medical documentation, income taxes, and additional documents
• Preparing you for consultative exams or hearings before judges
• Handling all paperwork, filings, and deadlines with precision
• Making compelling legal arguments for your disability case
• Handling the multi-level appeals process if initially denied

With an attorney’s experience and knowledge of SSA regulations and evidentiary requirements, you’ll have much better odds of getting approved – whether at the initial application stage or if an appeal is required.

South Carolina Disability Attorneys Can Save You Time and Help You Win

When you’re preparing your disability application or appeal, disability attorneys can take on much of the legwork for you, making the process less stressful and time consuming. And then, government studies have shown that your chance of getting approved for benefits can be better with a lawyer.

Approval rates are up to three times greater, for example, when you have a representative in your hearing instead of going it alone. Pilzer Klein’s knowledge of the system is deep. We’ve been helping people in South Carolina win disability benefits for more than 35 years.

If the initial decision for your application wasn’t favorable, don’t give up hope. We know the local health care services and people in the local Social Security offices, so you can get the best chance at a smooth process. There’s never an attorney fee until you win benefits.

Social Security Disability Is All We Do.