1. Determine if You Meet Core Requirements

• Child's Needs: Your child must generally be between birth and age 19 and have an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) or specific documented medical/developmental needs.

• Parent Activity: Unless you have a disability, parents typically must work at least 15 hours per week, or be enrolled in a school/training program.

2. Contact a Referring Agency
Unlike standard applications, ABC Special Needs applications are not initiated directly by parents through the online portal. You must contact one of the following agencies to obtain and process the paperwork:

• Your local county Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) - Anderson County DDSN - 864.260.4515

• The BabyNet Office:

  • 3215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite J

    Anderson, SC 29625

    Phone: (864) 225-6465

    Fax: (864) 225-8121

    Email:  Jennifer.Curtis@scdhhs.gov
    Counties served: Abbeville, Anderson, Laurens, Oconee

     

• Children's Rehabilitative Services (located at the county DHEC office) - click here

• The South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind - (864) 585-7711

3. Work with Your Case Coordinator
An Early Interventionist, Service Coordinator, or Referral Agent at the agency will assist you in filling out the Special Needs Child Care Application and gather necessary supporting documents, such as your child's IEP and your income/employment verification.

4. DSS Processing
Once your agent reviews and signs off on the paperwork, they will forward it to the SC Department of Social Services (DSS) ABC Special Needs Program. You will typically be notified of your case status within two weeks.

5. Choose a Provider
If approved, tuition payments are made directly to your provider. You must choose a child care center enrolled in the SC Voucher program, ideally one with a high ABC Quality rating. If your preferred provider is not enrolled, they must call the Control Center at 1-800-262-4416 to complete the enrollment paperwork.