SC Disability Agency Lost 35% of Examiners Since 2021, Audit Finds
NewsData.io · United States · Oct 2, 2026
A South Carolina Legislative Audit Council report found that the state's Disability Determination Services lost 114 examiners — a 35% reduction — between January 2021 and June 2026, contributing to significant processing delays and growing claim backlogs. Auditors cited employee turnover, pay concerns, and the elimination of telework as key recruitment and retention obstacles. Compounding the problem, the agency cannot hire new staff without Social Security Administration approval, limiting its ability to respond to shortages. Staffing firms with public-sector or healthcare-adjacent expertise may find opportunity in the retention and recruitment consulting gaps this audit exposes.
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