State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in South Carolina. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Income and Social Security
South Carolina SSI supplement
South Carolina's state supplement, Optional State Supplementation or OSS, helps people 65 or older, blind or disabled with low income pay for care in a licensed community residential care facility.
It doesn't go to people living in their own homes. The state pays the facility on your behalf, and you keep a small monthly allowance for personal needs.
How to apply in South Carolina
- By mail
- Send the OSS application forms (Form 3401 if you don't have Medicaid, Form 3400A if you do, Form 1728 if your only income is SSI) to SCDHHS Medicaid Eligibility; fax 888-820-1204
Who may qualify in South Carolina
| Age | 65 or older, blind, or disabled |
|---|---|
| Where you live | A licensed community residential care facility enrolled in OSS, with an authorized slot |
| Net income limit (July 2023, latest notice found) | $1,724 a month |
Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
What you may get
| Monthly supplement, one person living on their own (2026) | None for people living on their own |
|---|---|
| Most a community residential care facility can be paid each month for an OSS resident (July 2023, latest notice found) | $1,645 a month, made up of your income and the state's OSS payment |
| Personal needs allowance you keep (July 2023, latest notice found) | $79 a month if SSI is your only income; $99 if you have other income |
Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
How South Carolina is different
Where South Carolina's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid separately by the state; apply with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- The state pays the care facility on your behalf, and that payment counts as payment in full
Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- OSS itself is not a Medicaid program, but everyone who gets OSS is also eligible for Medicaid.
- The personal needs allowance, net income limit and OSS payment level are set by the South Carolina legislature.
Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 3)
Free help
Free help with this in South Carolina
South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in South Carolina
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Optional State Supplementation (OSS) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Rate Increases (September 8, 2023) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Optional State Supplementation Services Provider Manual (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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