New: the Funding Atlas shows how every state pays for disability services. See your state
Disability Atlaspowered by ConnectIDDSponsors

All states

Disability services in South Carolina

248 Confirmed Profiles and 14,499 Registry Listings across 108 counties, plus organizations that serve the whole country.

Two women, one in a power wheelchair, pass a downtown train station.

Search by area in South Carolina

Key statewide contacts

Agencies and networks that serve people with any disability in South Carolina. Each area's Resources and data tab lists the contacts for that area.

Protection and Advocacy (1)

The legal advocacy agency for people with disabilities in your state, set up under federal law. Free help with rights, abuse and neglect, and discrimination.

Vocational Rehabilitation (2)

The state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Assistive Technology Act program (1)

Try, borrow, or get help paying for assistive technology, from communication devices to mobility equipment.

Centers for Independent Living (4)

Run by and for people with disabilities: peer support, skills training, advocacy, and help moving from an institution to the community.

Statewide Independent Living Council (1)

Plans and monitors independent living services across the state.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (1)

One place to start for long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.

Parent Training and Information Centers (2)

Free help for families of children with disabilities, including special education rights and IEPs.

Services by county in South Carolina

Each county page shows what serves that county, your local intake offices, and Confirmed Profiles based there. Numbers are listings that serve the county.

Show all 46 counties

How to get services in South Carolina

Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.

Start here Healthy Connections Medicaid · South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS)

Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Call (888) 549-0820 · Your county SCDHHS Medicaid eligibility office.

South Carolina is a 1634 state, so people who get SSI get Medicaid without a separate application.

People who are aged, blind or have a disability can qualify through disability-related Medicaid groups. While on a waiver waiting list, members can still use regular State Plan services such as children's personal care and private duty nursing.

For children: TEFRA: Medicaid for children with disabilities who need an institutional level of care, based on the child's income (not confirmed on an official page in this check).

If you work: None found for South Carolina in this check.

Steps

  1. Apply online at apply.scdhhs.gov, or call 1-888-549-0820.
  2. Or apply at your county SCDHHS office.
  3. Say that you have a disability and if you need help at home.
  4. Send the papers SCDHHS asks for.
  5. When approved, choose a health plan if asked.

Have these ready

  • Social Security numbers
  • Proof of income and benefit letters
  • Bank and asset statements
  • Proof of South Carolina address
  • Disability or medical records
  • Other health insurance cards

Find a local benefits office (opens in a new tab)

Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism

Community Supports (CS) Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members of any age with an intellectual disability or related disability who meet ICF/IID level of care and whose needs fit the yearly cost limit. This waiver does not include medical services.

Start with: SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD-OIDD) · (800) 289-7012 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call BHDD-OIDD at 1-800-289-7012 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday) to apply for services.
  2. Send records that show the diagnosis.
  3. After you are found eligible, a case manager is assigned.
  4. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if you do not have it.
  5. Ask your case manager to request the waiver; if no slot is open, ask about the waiting list and State Plan services.

Have these ready

  • Proof of diagnosis (psychological or medical evaluation)
  • School records such as an IEP
  • Medicaid card or Medicaid application number
  • Social Security number and proof of address
  • Guardianship papers, if any
Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members of any age with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or similar disability who meet nursing facility or ICF/IID level of care and have urgent needs.

Start with: BHDD-OIDD Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Division · (800) 289-7012 · Website (opens in a new tab)

HASCI waiver entry depends on urgent need and available slots.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call BHDD-OIDD at 1-800-289-7012 and ask to apply for head and spinal cord injury services.
  2. Send medical records of the injury.
  3. Get a HASCI case manager.
  4. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if needed.
  5. Ask your HASCI case manager to request the HASCI waiver.

Have these ready

  • Medical records of the brain or spinal cord injury
  • Date and cause of the injury
  • Medicaid card or application
  • List of help you need each day
Intellectual Disability and Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members of any age with an intellectual disability or related disability who meet ICF/IID level of care. This waiver includes some medical services.

Start with: SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD-OIDD) · (800) 289-7012 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call BHDD-OIDD at 1-800-289-7012 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday) to apply for services.
  2. Send records that show the diagnosis.
  3. After you are found eligible, a case manager is assigned.
  4. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if you do not have it.
  5. Ask your case manager to request the waiver; if no slot is open, ask about the waiting list and State Plan services.

Have these ready

  • Proof of diagnosis (psychological or medical evaluation)
  • School records such as an IEP
  • Medicaid card or Medicaid application number
  • Social Security number and proof of address
  • Guardianship papers, if any

Brain injury, HIV, and complex medical needs

HIV/AIDS Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members of all ages with HIV or AIDS who meet an at-risk of hospitalization level of care.

Start with: SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake · (888) 971-1637 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake at 1-888-971-1637, or make a referral online.
  2. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if needed.
  3. A nurse does a level of care assessment.
  4. Choose your providers.
  5. Work with your waiver case manager.

Have these ready

  • Medical records of the HIV or AIDS diagnosis
  • List of medicines
  • Medicaid card or application
  • Proof of South Carolina address
Mechanical Ventilator Dependent Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members 65 and older, and ages 21 to 64 with a physical disability, who need mechanical ventilation and meet nursing facility level of care.

Start with: SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake · (888) 971-1637 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake at 1-888-971-1637, or make a referral online.
  2. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if needed.
  3. A nurse does a level of care assessment.
  4. Choose your providers.
  5. Work with your waiver case manager.

Have these ready

  • Medical records showing ventilator use
  • List of medicines and equipment
  • Medicaid card or application
  • List of help you need each day
Medically Complex Children Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid children up to age 21 with chronic physical or health conditions lasting at least a year who meet hospital level of care.

Start with: SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake · (888) 971-1637 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake at 1-888-971-1637, or make a referral online.
  2. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if needed.
  3. A nurse does a level of care assessment.
  4. Choose your providers.
  5. Work with your waiver case manager.

Have these ready

  • Child's medical records
  • List of specialists, nursing and therapy
  • Child's Medicaid card or application
  • List of medicines

Older adults and people with physical disabilities

Community Choices Waiver Waiting list varies

Medicaid members 65 and older, and ages 18 to 64 with a physical disability, who meet nursing facility level of care.

Start with: SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake · (888) 971-1637 · Website (opens in a new tab)

SCDHHS says members can use State Plan services while on a waiver waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call SCDHHS Community Long Term Care (CLTC) Centralized Intake at 1-888-971-1637, or make a referral online.
  2. Apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid if needed.
  3. A nurse does a level of care assessment.
  4. Choose your providers.
  5. Work with your waiver case manager.

Have these ready

  • List of medicines and doctors
  • Proof of income and assets
  • List of help you need each day
  • Medicaid card or application

Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.

How South Carolina pays for services

South Carolina ranks 28 of 51 on Medicaid waiver funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See its spending, waiting list, every named program, service rates, and its vocational rehabilitation agency.

Open the Funding Atlas for South Carolina

How South Carolina is graded

D-

Rank 41 of 51 on State of Support

ConnectIDD's report card for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Access to servicesD-
  • Community livingD
  • Family supportB-
  • Real workB-
  • Direct support workforceD+
  • Quality of lifeF
  • State investmentF
  • TransparencyC

Open the full report card

A mother laughs with her son on a park bench.

A map for every stage of your family's journey in South Carolina

Eight stages most families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pass through, from the first diagnosis to planning for the years ahead. Each stage shows what to do now, what to start planning, and the services to look for nearby, with a free printable guide.

  1. Diagnosis
  2. Early childhood
  3. School years
  4. Transition
  5. After graduation
  6. A place to live
  7. Work
  8. The future

Open The Family Journey Download the free guide (PDF)