The South Carolina workers comp waiting period is the number of days you must be off work after a job injury before wage-loss benefits start — 7 days in South Carolina, set by S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200.
This guide explains how the South Carolina workers comp waiting period is counted, when South Carolina pays those days back, what is still covered during the wait, and what to do if your first check is late. Figures verified against South Carolina sources as of October 2026.
South Carolina at a Glance
| Waiting period | 7 days (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200) |
| Paid back after | 14 days of disability (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200 (if the disability lasts more than fourteen days, compensation is paid from the date of disability, so the first 7 days are paid back)) |
| Medical care during the wait | Yes. § 42-9-200 exempts the medical benefits of § 42-15-60 from the waiting period, so authorized medical treatment is generally covered from day one. |
| First check due | The first installment is due on the 14th day after the employer has knowledge of the injury (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-230). After that it is paid weekly on the same day of the week. The employer’s representative must file Form 15 within 10 days of the first payment (Reg. 67-1601). |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (sixty-six and two-thirds percent of average weekly wage, minimum 75 per week unless the worker’s average weekly wage is lower; S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-10)% of your average weekly wage |
| 2026 max weekly benefit | $1189.94 (Injuries on or after January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 (SC sets the maximum by calendar year. It equals the SC average weekly wage for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025; set by the WCC Advisory Notice updated January 13, 2026)) |
In This South Carolina Guide:
How Long Is the South Carolina Workers Comp Waiting Period?
South Carolina applies a 7 days South Carolina workers comp waiting period to wage-loss benefits — temporary total disability — not to medical care. The clock starts with your first day of disability, not the day you report the injury, so the two dates can differ.
When the South Carolina Workers Comp Waiting Period Is Paid Back
The second number matters as much as the first. In South Carolina the South Carolina workers comp waiting period is paid back once your disability lasts 14 days (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200 (if the disability lasts more than fourteen days, compensation is paid from the date of disability, so the first 7 days are paid back)).
So a worker out for two weeks or more usually recovers the first 7 days; a worker back in a few days usually does not.
South Carolina Workers Comp Waiting Period Rules at a Glance
Every number below comes from South Carolina sources; the statute column is where to check it yourself.
| Waiting period (days) | 7 |
| Statute | S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200 |
| Retroactive after (days) | 14 |
| Retroactive statute | S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200 (if the disability lasts more than fourteen days, compensation is paid from the date of disability, so the first 7 days are paid back) |
| First payment due | The first installment is due on the 14th day after the employer has knowledge of the injury (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-230). After that it is paid weekly on the same day of the week. The employer’s representative must file Form 15 within 10 days of the first payment (Reg. 67-1601). |
| Late-payment penalty | 10 percent of any unpaid installment, added if the installment is not paid within 14 days after it becomes due under § 42-9-230 or § 42-9-240. The Commission can excuse this if the employer shows the delay was caused by conditions beyond its control (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-90). |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (sixty-six and two-thirds percent of average weekly wage, minimum 75 per week unless the worker’s average weekly wage is lower; S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-10)% |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1189.94 (Injuries on or after January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 (SC sets the maximum by calendar year. It equals the SC average weekly wage for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025; set by the WCC Advisory Notice updated January 13, 2026)) |
How South Carolina Counts the Days
States differ on whether the day of injury counts, whether weekends and holidays count, and whether a half day at work breaks the streak. The South Carolina rule is in the table above; when in doubt, count calendar days from the first full day you could not work and confirm with the insurer.
Light-duty days are the common trap: if you go back on modified duty at full pay, most states stop the disability clock, and the South Carolina workers comp waiting period may have to restart if you go out again. Keep your doctor’s work restrictions in writing.
What Is Covered During the Waiting Period
Yes. § 42-9-200 exempts the medical benefits of § 42-15-60 from the waiting period, so authorized medical treatment is generally covered from day one.
Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as it happens, see an authorized doctor, and keep a copy of every form. Those three steps protect the claim whether or not the South Carolina workers comp waiting period ends up being paid back.
If Your First South Carolina Check Is Late
Many claimants first contact the employer’s insurance carrier or adjuster. If the check still does not arrive, call the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission Claims Department at 803-737-5723 (main line 803-737-5700) or email [email protected]. You may be entitled to the 10% late-payment addition under § 42-9-90. Confirm with the Commission and a licensed attorney.
First payment deadline: The first installment is due on the 14th day after the employer has knowledge of the injury (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-230). After that it is paid weekly on the same day of the week. The employer’s representative must file Form 15 within 10 days of the first payment (Reg.
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67-1601).. Late penalty: 10 percent of any unpaid installment, added if the installment is not paid within 14 days after it becomes due under § 42-9-230 or § 42-9-240. The Commission can excuse this if the employer shows the delay was caused by conditions beyond its control (S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-90)..
Why the South Carolina Workers Comp Waiting Period Exists
Every state uses a waiting period to keep very short absences out of the wage-loss system, the way a deductible works on a car policy. The South Carolina workers comp waiting period is on the shorter end of the national range of three to seven days, and the payback rule decides whether a longer injury recovers it.
If any part of the South Carolina workers comp waiting period is unclear for your case, the state agency’s information line can confirm the count and the insurer’s deadline at no cost.
Next step: once the South Carolina workers comp waiting period has run, the claim itself decides what you are paid. Our South Carolina claim guide covers the reporting deadline, the forms and what to do if the insurer disputes the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the workers comp waiting period in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires 7 days of disability before wage-loss benefits start. Medical care is covered from day one.
Does South Carolina pay the waiting period back?
Yes, once your disability lasts 14 days or more the waiting period is paid retroactively. Keep your doctor’s off-work note; it is the proof.
What if my first South Carolina workers comp check is late?
Call the insurer, then the state agency listed in the sources. Many states set a deadline for the first payment and a penalty for missing it.
Official South Carolina Sources & Resources
- South Carolina South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission: https://wcc.sc.gov
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Statute: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t42c009.php
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This South Carolina workers comp waiting period guide was last verified against official South Carolina sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
You May Also Like
More South Carolina Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a South Carolina Workers’ Comp Claim
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Settlements
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.