Young children who have mental or physical conditions that require professional care and limit their abilities may qualify for government disability. Anyone under the age of 18 is too young to receive payments under the social security disability program, but they are eligible to apply for supplemental security insurance (SSI). These payments can help to assist with household expenses, special equipment and medical bills, among other necessities. Parents or guardians of these children need to be aware of who may be accepted, how the program works and what changes to expect after age 18.
How Children Qualify
Not every child with a disability is automatically granted SSI benefits, and even those who apply may be turned down. To qualify, the family must be financially disadvantaged and proof needs to be provided of the disability. Doctor's notes are required to be submitted with an application. The notes must include a description of the medical problems, any medications the child receives as well as a list of potential side effects of the medication that may be pertinent to the case. If the filing is for psychological issues as opposed to physical ailments, a letter from the professional making the determination and a description of how this mental condition impairs their ability to function should be included.
Disabilities not Covered in Adulthood
In some instances, disabilities that are covered as children are not covered once the children become adults. If their ability to work is still affected, coverage may be able to be continued if it can be proven that a side effect of the disease prevents their ability to be self-sufficient. This can happen, for instance, if a medication makes them too sleepy or unable to perform simple tasks reliably.
Adult Children on SSI
For those people who are covered in adulthood as they were as children, there is the potential to receive higher payments once their parents retire, pass away or become disabled. This program is known as adult Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) and they are only eligible if they remain unmarried or their spouse is also receiving social security. The parents must be eligible for social security retirement payments as well.
Additional Options for Military Parents
Retiring from the military while raising a child on SSI means needing to make decisions about what type of benefits will meet the needs of the child best. The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) retirement option allows coverage for many medical needs for disabled children, but it does not cover some important expenses like care in a group home. It also makes the recipient ineligible for Medicare benefits. However, it can cover children whose parents make more money than what would make them eligible for SSI and allows adult children to have some income of their own. Because lifestyle, income and the type of disability can all help to determine which plan is best, parents should speak to a disability attorney or other knowledgeable professional before making their decision. At this time, once the SBP plan has been chosen, it cannot be cancelled.
The majority of all social security disability cases, for adults and children, are denied on the first attempt. Many of these cases are rejected because of paperwork errors or too little information being provided. It is important for parents to review the application requirements carefully and assemble all paperwork before they begin the process. To avoid delays, a legal office such as the Law Offices Of Russell J. Goldsmith can help speed up the process and provide a better chance of the disability benefits being granted.
