As the state’s capital and largest city, Columbia, South Carolina reported a population in the U.S. Census of 2010 of 129,272. It’s a dynamic city with a diverse economy. Local and state government, military, healthcare and education make up the foundation of Columbia’s economic base, through the high tech, retail and manufacturing industries also play a significant role.
The Social Security Administration’s Region 4 office in Atlanta, GA provides services to the Columbia area, including the review of initial claims and the distribution of payments for more than 193,000 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
SSDI provides income for people who are unable work due to permanent or long term disability. In order to qualify, you must meet disability requirements and have sufficient work history during which you paid into the SSDI fund. Inability to work must last a year or more and work credits accumulated over the past decade apply. If you meet disability requirements but not work credit stipulations for SSDI, you may still be eligible to receive SSI.
Apply for Columbia Social Security Disability Benefits
The process of applying for Columbia Social Security Disability benefits is complicated, difficult for the average person to understand and can take a number of months to complete. Some applicants wait more than a year for a determination on their eligibility.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approves about 25 percent of the initial claims seen in the Region 4 office, though the Columbia area sees initial approval rates averaging around 55 percent. While the higher percentage of initial approvals in Columbia is encouraging, many applicants must still go through additional reviews and appeals.
Anyone initially denied benefits can request a second review, though only 10.7 percent of applications are approved for SSD benefits following that reconsideration. If denied again, applicants must file an appeal which puts their claim before an administrative law judge. The process can take months but having legal help from a Columbia Social Security Disability lawyer can help shorten wait time.
The Social Security office location listed below is that which processes initial Columbia disability benefit claims:
Columbia Social Security Disability
Strom Thurmond Federal Building,
1835 Assembly St,
Columbia, SC 29201
Columbia Social Security Disability Resources
Receiving Columbia disability benefits means you must have a solid application and case file, including adequate and clear documentation of your disability. This includes ongoing medical treatment for the conditions causing your disability, but paying for healthcare when disabled can be very difficult. Here are some of the Columbia disability resources for free and low cost medical services.
Richland Community Health Care
1520 Laurel St,
Columbia, SC 29201-2623
(803)799-8407
Five Points Walk-in Center
1228 Harden St,
Columbia, SC 29204-1800
(803)748-7002
Waverly Women’s Health Center
1228 Harden St,
Columbia, SC 29204-1800
(803)744-0540
Waverly Family Practice
2117 Gervais St,
Columbia, SC 29204-1805
(803)748-1181
Carolina Medical Group
3010 Farrow Rd,
Columbia, SC 29203-7607
(803)251-1789
Winstead and Associates
2712 Middleburg Dr, Suite 206,
Columbia, SC 29204-2415
(803)779-0354
EAU Claire Internal Medicine
4605 Monticello Rd,
Columbia, SC 29203-4156
(803)754-0151
Your Columbia Disability Claim
Appropriate and substantial medical documentation in your Columbia disability claim is central to being found eligible for benefits, and a Columbia Social Security Disability attorney can review your case file to ensure your documentation is as thorough and complete as possible. He or she can assist in getting the right medical care and tests performed and can walk you through the entire SSD review process. Additionally, if you are among the applicants who must file an appeal for benefits, a Columbia disability attorney will help prepare you for the hearing and will present your case before the administrative law judge as well. Columbia disability attorneys charge no fees upfront for their services and are only paid if you receive SSD benefits.
