Retired man in his wheelchair

By Marie Lowery

As the government shutdown continues into the second week, here is what those individuals who are applying for benefits and have pending applications can expect. The local offices continue to be open on a limited basis and are processing new applications.

For those individuals who recently had a hearing and are waiting on a decision from an Administrative Law Judge, there will be delays. While Administrative Law Judges are still holding hearings during the shutdown, the legal assistants and attorneys at the hearing offices who draft and process the decisions are furloughed. Therefore, decisions will be delayed in excess of the normal processing time of 30 to 60 days because of the government shutdown.

Services still ongoing:

  • Hearings will continue as scheduled.
  • Individuals are able to file an initial application for disability benefits.
  • SSD Appeals will continue to be processed.
  • Individuals are able to change their address or direct deposit information.
  • Critical payments are still being issued.

The Joye Law Firm’s Social Security Department is continuing to process applications during this time. Please call us at 843-554-3100 if you would like to apply for Social Security disability benefits or have questions regarding your pending application.

About the Author

Mark Joye is the Head of the Litigation Department at the Joye Law Firm. A Board-Certified Trial Advocate with nearly 30 years of litigation experience, he currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and is a past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice. In a recent trial, Joye headed a trial team that secured $17 million for a family killed in a tractor-trailer accident.

Recent Blog Post
Joye Law Firm Staff Picks: What to Do in South Carolina week of March 21-27
What to Do in South Carolina: Staff Picks 3/21/23 – 3/27/23

With five offices located across the state of South Carolina in North Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Summerville, and Clinton, our firm is well-connected to various local events. Every week during our Team Huddle, our staff members share exciting happenings in…

Image of a warning sign labeled "contains asbestos"
Is Asbestos Exposure Considered a Workers’ Comp Case?

When many people think of asbestos exposure, they think of older homes with popcorn ceilings, dated vinyl flooring, and outdated attic and wall insulation. Thankfully, asbestos was phased out of new construction by the mid-1980s, but countless people are still…

Image of a car crash as viewed through a windshield
How to Avoid a Pile-Up Crash

There are few types of crashes on South Carolina’s roads more disruptive and dangerous than multi-vehicle pile-ups. By definition, pile-ups are crashes that involve three or more vehicles. But in many cases, pile-ups involve a dozen or more vehicles. All…

Image of car keys and cannabis
Is Driving While High as Dangerous as Driving While Drunk?

It’s no secret that driving while drunk is extremely dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes in the U.S. in 2020 alone. However, many people are…

Awards & Recognition
Media
CBS News
Fox
NBC
ABC