Help for Parents of Children with Disabilities
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Social Security Administration
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_factsheet.htm#disability
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The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to children from birth to age 18 based on disability or blindness if the child's:
a. Impairment or combination of impairments meet the definition of disability for children; and
b. Income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits.
For more information, visit the website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/ or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 1-800-325-0778).
A helpful resource for parents can be found at:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_factsheet.htm#disability
How to apply
You can apply for Social Security or SSI payments for your child by calling Social Security toll-free at 1 (800) 772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office. If you are applying for SSI payments for your child, you should have his or her Social Security number and birth certificate with you when you apply.
Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children.
• The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and,
• The condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.
A state agency makes the disability decision. They review the information that you provide. They will also ask for information from medical and school sources and other people who know about your child.
If the state agency needs more information, they will arrange an examination or test for the child, which the Social Security Administration will pay for.
SSI rules about disability
Your child must meet all of the following requirements to be considered disabled and therefore eligible for SSI:
• Your child must not be working and earning more than $1,000 a month in 2011. (This earnings amount usually changes every year.) If he or she is working and earning that much money, SSA will find that your child is not disabled.
• Your child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." This means that the condition(s) must very seriously limit your child's activities.
• Your child's condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months; or must be expected to result in death.
If your child's condition(s) results in "marked and severe functional limitations" for at least 12 continuous months, SSA will find that your child is disabled. But if it does not result in those limitations, or does not last for at least 12 months, SSA will find that your child is not disabled.
SSI rules about income and resources
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides if your child can get SSI, they consider your child's income and resources. Also considered is the income and resources of family members living in the child's household. These rules apply if your child lives at home. They also apply if he or she is away at school but returns home from time to time and is subject to your control.
If your child's income and resources, or the income and resources of family members living in the child's household, are more than the amount allowed, Social Security Administration will deny your child's application for SSI payments.
SSA limits the monthly SSI payment to $30 if your child is in a medical facility where health insurance pays for his or her care.
Providing information about your child's condition
When you apply for SSI benefits for your child, the Social Security Administration will ask you for detailed information about your child's medical condition and how it affects his or her ability to function on a daily basis. They also will ask you to give consent for the doctors, therapists, teachers and other professionals who have information about your child's condition to send them the information.
If you have any of your child's medical, early intervention or school records, bring them with you to your appointment with Social Security. This will help speed up the eligibility decision on your application.
a. Impairment or combination of impairments meet the definition of disability for children; and
b. Income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits.
For more information, visit the website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/ or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 1-800-325-0778).
A helpful resource for parents can be found at:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_factsheet.htm#disability
How to apply
You can apply for Social Security or SSI payments for your child by calling Social Security toll-free at 1 (800) 772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office. If you are applying for SSI payments for your child, you should have his or her Social Security number and birth certificate with you when you apply.
Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children.
• The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and,
• The condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.
A state agency makes the disability decision. They review the information that you provide. They will also ask for information from medical and school sources and other people who know about your child.
If the state agency needs more information, they will arrange an examination or test for the child, which the Social Security Administration will pay for.
SSI rules about disability
Your child must meet all of the following requirements to be considered disabled and therefore eligible for SSI:
• Your child must not be working and earning more than $1,000 a month in 2011. (This earnings amount usually changes every year.) If he or she is working and earning that much money, SSA will find that your child is not disabled.
• Your child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." This means that the condition(s) must very seriously limit your child's activities.
• Your child's condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months; or must be expected to result in death.
If your child's condition(s) results in "marked and severe functional limitations" for at least 12 continuous months, SSA will find that your child is disabled. But if it does not result in those limitations, or does not last for at least 12 months, SSA will find that your child is not disabled.
SSI rules about income and resources
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides if your child can get SSI, they consider your child's income and resources. Also considered is the income and resources of family members living in the child's household. These rules apply if your child lives at home. They also apply if he or she is away at school but returns home from time to time and is subject to your control.
If your child's income and resources, or the income and resources of family members living in the child's household, are more than the amount allowed, Social Security Administration will deny your child's application for SSI payments.
SSA limits the monthly SSI payment to $30 if your child is in a medical facility where health insurance pays for his or her care.
Providing information about your child's condition
When you apply for SSI benefits for your child, the Social Security Administration will ask you for detailed information about your child's medical condition and how it affects his or her ability to function on a daily basis. They also will ask you to give consent for the doctors, therapists, teachers and other professionals who have information about your child's condition to send them the information.
If you have any of your child's medical, early intervention or school records, bring them with you to your appointment with Social Security. This will help speed up the eligibility decision on your application.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_factsheet.htm#disability
