What Is the Average Disability Payment in South Carolina?

When a disabling condition prevents you from working and earning an income, securing monthly financial assistance becomes crucial. For South Carolina residents, two major federal programs provide disability benefits – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

However, determining your potential payment amounts involves carefully considering several factors. While SSI is a needs-based program, SSDI is based on your previous earnings history and several other elements.

Let’s take a look at the current maximum federal disability payments, key eligibility criteria that impact what you could receive, and how a South Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyer can help maximize your benefits.

Maximum Federal SSI Payments for 2024

Let’s start with the latest details on SSI, which is a need-based welfare program for low-income individuals with limited resources and work credits. For 2024, the Social Security Administration has set the following maximum federal payment standards:

• $943 per month for an eligible individual recipient
• $1,415 per month for an eligible couple

It’s important to understand that these are the highest possible SSI payments. Your actual monthly amount could be lower depending on your household’s total countable income and living situation. Our firm can help you gain a clearer picture of your potential benefits in a free consultation.

How Income Affects SSI Payments

Because SSI is a needs-based program, your other income streams are carefully evaluated and calculated into your eligibility and payment amount. In general:

• For every $2 you earn from jobs, self-employment, or any money-earning activity, your SSI payment drops by around $1
• Non-work income like disability benefits, unemployment, and pensions reduces your payment roughly dollar-for-dollar

Additionally, a spouse’s income is considered if you’re married and living together. Even a child’s SSI payment may be reduced based on their parents’ household income.

Excluded Income Sources for SSI

Thankfully, there are many types of income and assistance that the SSA excludes from these calculations, which can help you retain more of your SSI benefits. Some examples of excluded income include:

• The first $20 of most income sources per month
• The first $65 of monthly earnings, plus half of additional earnings
• Food stamps/SNAP benefits
• Grants and scholarships strictly used for tuition/education

Identifying and properly claiming all eligible income exclusions is critical for ensuring you receive the maximum SSI payment possible based on your financial resources.

Calculating Potential SSDI Payments

While SSI is based strictly on financial need, SSDI payments stem from your prior work history and tax contributions to the Social Security system. If you worked long enough under Social Security-covered employment to accrue sufficient work credits based on your earnings, you may qualify for SSDI.

Your potential monthly SSDI benefit is calculated using your average earnings from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. They will only average the highest-paying earnings to avoid driving your payment down. Unlike SSI’s standardized federal payment rates, SSDI benefits can vary significantly between recipients. 

In most cases, the longer you worked and the higher your past earnings, the higher your SSDI payment will be. In general, SSDI payments tend to be higher than SSI for those who have accumulated a substantial work history over many years. However, the SSA uses highly complex calculations, so speaking with a lawyer is the best way to estimate your potential SSDI amount.

Meeting Disability Requirements

It is important to understand what determines if a person is disabled. Of course, to receive any SSDI or SSI disability payments, your medical condition and records must first convince the SSA that you are legitimately unable to sustain any substantial gainful employment. 

This is often the biggest hurdle applicants face.

The SSA maintains a comprehensive listing of severe, long-term physical and mental impairments that automatically qualify as disabling. Some of these include:

• Musculoskeletal impairments such as spinal cord injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, or the loss of a limb through amputation
• Cardiovascular diseases like congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease
• Respiratory ailments, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis
• Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or epilepsy
• Mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• Immune system diseases, including HIV/AIDS or lupus
• Cancers requiring intensive treatment regimens and extended recovery periods
• Injuries resulting in significant, permanent functional limitations

Your treatment records, symptoms, limitations, and capacity for any work must be evaluated extensively.

An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can meticulously assess your case, determine the ideal path to disability approval, and ensure you put forth the strongest claim supported by medical evidence and documentation.

Get an Accurate Disability Payment Projection

While looking at average disability payment statistics and maximum federal rates provides a useful starting point, the only way to get a reliable estimate tailored to your unique situation is by speaking with our legal team at Pilzer Klein.

Our attorneys can evaluate all aspects of your case, from earnings records and financial resources to medical evidence and work limitations. We’ll craft a strategy to secure you the maximum monthly disability benefits you’re rightfully owed based on the SSA’s complicated criteria.

Don’t leave your potential disability payments to chance – contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. With Pilzer Klein in your corner, you can move forward confidently, knowing your path to financial stability is in good hands.