South Carolina · Resources
The numbers you actually need — South Carolina.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) — Healthy Connections
SC DHHS administers Medicaid as Healthy Connections, including the Community Long-Term Care (CLTC) waiver for in-home services and nursing-facility Medicaid.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA)
Coordinates Area Agencies on Aging in 10 planning and service areas across South Carolina.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
SHIP — Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders (I-CARE)
South Carolina's federally-funded SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the SC Department on Aging.
State health department
Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
Licenses and regulates nursing facilities, community residential care facilities, and home health agencies.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service
South Carolina Legal Services
Statewide nonprofit providing civil legal aid to low-income South Carolinians, including older adults.
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
Statewide advocacy for vulnerable populations including older adults.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Alzheimer's Association — South Carolina Chapter
24/7 helpline, caregiver support groups, education across the state.
AARP South Carolina
Statewide advocacy and caregiver resources.
South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA)
Resource for elder abuse and intimate-partner violence affecting older adults.
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 federal Medicare helpline.
- 1-800-868-9095
SC Aging Helpline
Single point of entry for aging-related questions in South Carolina.
- 211
211 South Carolina
Local community resource referrals 24/7.
Forms & templates
Official South Carolina document references
SC Health Care Power of Attorney (S.C. Code §62-5-504)
Statutory form for designating a health-care agent. Available from the SC Bar and SCDHEC.
SC Living Will / Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death (S.C. Code §44-77)
Statutory advance-directive form under South Carolina's Death with Dignity Act.
SC Uniform Power of Attorney Act (S.C. Code §62-8)
Statutory durable power of attorney provisions, adopted in 2017.
Key statutes we cite
South Carolina laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| S.C. Code §62-8 | SC Uniform Power of Attorney Act (adopted 2017) |
| S.C. Code §62-5-504 | Health Care Power of Attorney |
| S.C. Code §44-77 | Death with Dignity Act (living will / advance directive) |
| S.C. Code Title 62 | SC Probate Code |
| S.C. Code Title 62, Article 7 | South Carolina Trust Code |
| S.C. Code §44-7 | Nursing facility and assisted-living licensure (Community Residential Care Facilities) |
| S.C. Code §43-35 | SC Adult Protection Act (APS) |
More from South Carolina
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