The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers benefit programs that provide financial assistance to individuals who are no longer able to work due to chronic disabilities. The SSA administers two federally funded programs called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that are available to certain qualifying individuals who are no longer able to work due to chronic medical conditions and/or are experiencing financial hardship.
A child born with disabilities will face various limitations and higher medical expenses. It can be as difficult as it can be rewarding for parents to raise a disabled child. Not only can families anticipate higher living and medical expenses, but often parents must decide between leaving employment to provide childcare, or manage the added expense of an in-home caretaker.
Who is Eligible for SSA Child Insurance Benefits?
Applicants for benefits must meet the eligibility criteria in order to establish entitlement to disability benefits. To begin with, a child must be economically dependent on their parents to receive Social Security Benefits For Children. To qualify for this benefit, a child must be unmarried, dependent on the parent, and one of the following must apply:
Must be younger than 18 years oldCan be between the ages of 18-19 years and a full-time student (but not higher than grade 12) Or, must be 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22
Requirements for Childhood Disability
It is possible for a child to be eligible for SSDI benefits if their parents have worked and earned enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits under the SSDI program. Step children, grandchildren, and adopted children may also qualify for children’s benefits in some cases. To find out whether you meet eligibility requirements for any of Social Security’s benefit programs, contact a Fort Myers Disability Attorney.
Children under the age of 18 years may be eligible for Social Security’s disability benefits under the SSI program for children if they have limited income and resources. Social Security defines a disability as: The child has a medical condition that seriously limits their daily activities; and
The condition or conditions must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.
A well-supported application for benefits should include evidence from a healthcare provider that proves and supports that the condition is chronic and disabling. A state agency will review the evidence submitted with the application and make a disability benefits entitlement decision. The state agency may additionally ask for more information from medical and school sources and other people familiar with the child’s medical conditions.
When Your Child is Under the Age of 18
A child below 18 years of age may not be eligible for SSDI in some cases. They may, however, be eligible for benefits under SSI. The primary requirement for eligibility for SSI is that the individual must have a financial need. Household income and other documentation of financial need will be a necessary part of the application. Read more about age verification in gaming.
When approved, Social Security will provide monetary benefits to payees. Payees will be either the parents or the lawful guardians who have custodial responsibility for taking care of the child and their compensation. Social Security will explain the guidelines and rules for use of SSI funds. Parents should spend the benefits on the child’s current maintenance. It should be used to fulfill the basic daily needs of the child.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that a child who lacks financial means receives proper shelter and nutrition. You can utilize the compensation amount awarded for this purpose and provide them adequate food, shelter and healthcare.
You may often need money to pay medical expenses and receive other treatment for the child, as necessary. The SSI funds will help you ensure the long term health and well-being of the child. Payees can also use these funds to pay back previous debts related to the child’s care and maintenance.
To determine the amount of compensation, the Social Security Administration will consider the following:
Income and assets of the parent Income of the stepparents when the child is primarily living with them or if the child is adopted.
Medical Conditions Requirements for Child Benefits
When a child is under age 18, unmarried, living at home, and their parents do not receive SSI benefits, the SSA may consider the parents’ income and resources. The SSA may similarly count a stepparent’s income and resources if the child lives with both a parent and a stepparent or an adoptive parent. The SSA also does this even if the child goes away to school, provided the child remains subject to parental control. They call this process “deeming.”
Deeming is when the SSA makes deductions from “deemed income” for parents and for other children living in the home. After subtracting deductions, the remaining amount is used to decide if the SSI income and resource threshold are met such that the child is entitled to a monthly benefit.
When the child turns 18 years old, the Social Security Administration will review their decision to determine the child’s eligibility now as an adult.
SSDI for Adult Children
A child who became disabled before the age of 22 may be eligible for disability benefits under the SSDI program. They may be eligible for disability benefits when Social Security already insures the other parent. The child will receive benefits based on the parent’s earnings, and either parent must meet the following criteria:
Either parent must be already receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits; or One of the parents died, but were eligible for disability benefits because they had sufficient qualifying work credits
After the child turns 18, the SSA will review their entitlement eligibility again and decide whether to continue with benefits or discontinue them. It can be a complicated process. Contact a Disability Attorney Miami residents trust. They will help you with the application, gathering of evidence, and getting benefits for your child.
Our lawyers are well-versed in disability law and understand the SSA eligibility criteria. Before proceeding with an application, consult a lawyer who understands how to avoid denial of the claim.
