Panic Disorder Benefits in South Carolina

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months. Panic Disorder can qualify if it severely limits your ability to work.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Panic Disorder may qualify if it meets Social Security’s definition of disability and your income is low enough.
• Both programs require medical proof of your condition and how it affects your daily life and work ability.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and meet work credit requirements for SSDI.

Source: SSA.gov, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (2023-11-06)

• In South Carolina, if you receive SSI, you may automatically qualify for SNAP (food stamps) through the Combined Application Project (SCCAP) if you live alone or are responsible for your own meals and have no earned income.
• South Carolina residents with disabilities may get reduced admission to state parks and free hunting and fishing licenses if they receive SSI or SSDI.
• The Palmetto ABLE Savings Program lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for benefits like Medicaid or SSI.
• South Carolina also offers Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities who need home and community-based services.
• The Ticket to Work program helps people with disabilities find jobs and keep their Medicaid or Medicare benefits while working.

Source: SC DSS, Help for the Disabled (2023-11-06) Source: Disability Rights SC, Tax and Special Benefits (2023-11-06) Source: SC Office of the State Treasurer, ABLE Program (2023-11-06) Source: SC DHHS, Medicaid Waivers (2023-11-06) Source: SC Works, Ticket to Work (2023-11-06)

• Check if you qualify for SSI or SSDI based on your income, resources, and medical condition.
• Apply for SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov or at your local Social Security office.
• If you get SSI, you may automatically qualify for SNAP through SCCAP.
• Apply for Medicaid and other state programs through your local DSS office or online.
• Contact SC Works for help with job training and employment services.
• For ABLE accounts, apply through the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program website.

• Step 1: Gather medical records and proof of income. You’ll need documentation of your Panic Disorder diagnosis and how it affects your ability to work.
• Step 2: Apply for SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
• Step 3: If you get SSI, you may be automatically enrolled in SNAP through the SCCAP program. If not, apply for SNAP at your local DSS office or online.
• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid through your local DSS office or online. You may also qualify for Medicaid waivers if you need home and community-based services.
• Step 5: Contact SC Works to learn about the Ticket to Work program and get help with job training and employment services.
• Step 6: Open an ABLE account through the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program website to save money without losing benefits.
• Step 7: Keep all agencies updated about changes in your income, living situation, or medical condition to avoid overpayments.
• Step 8: If you have trouble with your application or benefits, contact Disability Rights South Carolina for advocacy and support.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly cash benefits for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work due to disability.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly cash benefits for people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with disabilities who meet income and resource limits.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people who get SSDI after a 24-month waiting period.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Food benefits for low-income people, including those with disabilities.
• Ticket to Work: Free employment services for people with disabilities who want to work.

Source: SSA.gov, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (2023-11-06)

• SCCAP (South Carolina Combined Application Project): If you get SSI and live alone or are responsible for your own meals, you may automatically get SNAP benefits without a separate application.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Home and community-based services for people with disabilities who need help with daily living.
• Palmetto ABLE Savings Program: Lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits.
• Reduced Admission to State Parks: South Carolina residents with disabilities who get SSI or SSDI can get reduced admission to state parks.
• Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses: South Carolina residents with disabilities who get SSI or SSDI can get free hunting and fishing licenses.
• Ticket to Work: Free job training and employment services for people with disabilities who want to work.

Source: SC DSS, Help for the Disabled (2023-11-06) Source: Disability Rights SC, Tax and Special Benefits (2023-11-06) Source: SC Office of the State Treasurer, ABLE Program (2023-11-06) (2023-11-06) (2023-11-06)

• The Palmetto ABLE Savings Program lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits.
• You can save up to $16,000 per year and up to $100,000 total without losing SSI benefits.
• Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, transportation, and health care.
• To open an account, visit the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program website.

Source: SC Office of the State Treasurer, ABLE Program (2023-11-06)

• SSI has strict income and resource limits. In 2023, the federal SSI limit is $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 for a couple.
• SSDI has no income limit, but you must not be able to do substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is $1,470 per month in 2023.
• Medicaid income limits vary by program and household size.
• ABLE accounts let you save up to $16,000 per year and up to $100,000 total without losing SSI benefits.

Source: SSA.gov, SSI Income Limits (2023-11-06) Source: SSA.gov, SSDI Work Limits (2023-11-06) Source: SC DHHS, Medicaid Income Limits (2023-11-06)

• If your income, resources, or living situation changes, you must report it to Social Security and DSS to avoid overpayments.
• Overpayments can happen if you don’t report changes or if there’s a mistake in your benefits.
• If you get an overpayment notice, contact Social Security or DSS right away to discuss repayment options.
• You can get help with overpayments and reporting changes from Disability Rights South Carolina.

Source: Disability Rights SC, Overpayments and Reporting (2023-11-06) Source: SSA.gov, Overpayments (2023-11-06)

• South Carolina Department of Social Services
  Phone: 1-866-272-2511

  Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  Website

  Apply for SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits.
• Disability Rights South Carolina
  Phone: 1-866-272-2511

  Email: info@disabilityrightssc.org

  Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  Website

  Free advocacy and help with disability benefits.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  Website

  Apply for SSI/SSDI and get help with benefits.

• Can Panic Disorder qualify for disability benefits in South Carolina?

  Yes, Panic Disorder can qualify for SSI or SSDI if it prevents you from working for at least 12 months. You must provide medical proof of your condition and how it affects your daily life and work ability.

• How do I apply for SSI or SSDI with Panic Disorder?

  You can apply online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You’ll need medical records and proof of income.

• What state benefits are available for people with Panic Disorder in South Carolina?

  South Carolina offers Medicaid, SNAP, reduced admission to state parks, free hunting and fishing licenses, ABLE accounts, and Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities.

• Can I work while getting disability benefits for Panic Disorder?

  Yes, you can work while getting disability benefits. The Ticket to Work program helps people with disabilities find jobs and keep their Medicaid or Medicare benefits while working.

• How do I avoid overpayments on my disability benefits?

  Report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to Social Security and DSS right away. If you get an overpayment notice, contact them to discuss repayment options.

• What is the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program?

  The Palmetto ABLE Savings Program lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. You can save up to $16,000 per year and up to $100,000 total.