How Disabled Children May Qualify for Social Security Benefits

How Disabled Children May Qualify for Social Security Benefits

Medical review services would focus on finding medically acceptable laboratory and clinical diagnostic techniques documented in the records, to help demonstrate the child’s impairment (s).

The U.S. Social Security provides benefits for children with disabling conditions, including certain forms of cancer. Medical records analysis for social security disability claims is a painstaking process with numerous medical records to review from what the Social Security Administration considers acceptable medical sources. Medical review services would therefore focus on identifying medically acceptable laboratory and clinical diagnostic techniques documented in the medical records, which will help demonstrate the child’s impairment (s) that have resulted from physiological, psychological or anatomical abnormalities. Social Security requires that the impairment is established by medical evidence comprising signs, symptoms and lab findings – a statement of symptoms alone will not be enough. The medical reports should compare the child’s functional abilities to others of the same age who do not have any disabilities. Functions to be compared include learning and using information, ability to properly interact with others, ability to complete tasks, ability to take care of themselves in keeping with their age, and the ability to walk and use their hands. To determine the severity of the child’s impairment, the SSA will also consider the child’s school records and reports apart from the medical records. They may also request the child to have a medical examination/tests done if more medical information is required.

These

consultative

exams

performed

by

medical

doctors

and

psychologists/psychiatrists are paid for by the SSA. Disabled children who have limited income and resources are paid disability benefits through the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) program.

Here are the ways in which disabled children can qualify for social security.

• Benefits under SSI for low-income disabled children: Children who meet the SSA’s disability requirements but have little income/resources are eligible for these benefits. To determine whether the child is financially eligible for SSI, part of the parents’ income will be considered. When the child turns 18, he/she will have to meet the requirements of the adult definition of disability. After 18 years of age, the SSA will no longer take the family’s income into account when determining eligibility. However, if the child still receives food and shelter from the parents, the SSA may reduce the child’s disability payment. If the child is approved for SSI disability, he/she is also eligible to receive Medicaid.

• Dependents Benefits: If the child’s parent, step parent or adoptive parent is receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) or Social Security retirement benefits, or was entitled to one of these benefits before they died, he/she can qualify for SS benefits whether he/she is disabled or not. These benefits are known as dependents benefits or

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auxiliary benefits. If there is no living parent, a grandchild or step grandchild can also qualify for these. The benefits amount to 50% of the parent’s monthly benefit subject to a family maximum. These benefits are paid until the child reaches the age of 18. If the child is a full time secondary school student the benefits are paid until the age of 19. The dependents benefits will stop if the child marries.

• Benefits under SSDI for disabled young adults or adult children: An extension of the dependents benefits mentioned above, these benefits are for disabled children only.

Children who are disabled when they turn 18 or a young adult who becomes disabled before turning 22 can continue to receive SS dependents benefits as long as they are disabled. The young adult must meet the SSA’s adult definition of disability. Though paid to an adult, the benefit is termed “child’s benefit” because it is using the parent’s earning record. The SSA refers to this benefit as SSDI for “adults disabled since childhood” even though the impairment needs to have started only before age 22.

The waiting period to start receiving SSI benefits is usually 3 – 5 months, and this depends on the time the Agency takes to decide if the child qualifies for the benefits. Disability benefits may be paid immediately and for up to 6 months while the case is being decided, if the child suffers from one of the specially noted conditions such as total deafness, total blindness, low birth weight, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy. The SSA may require periodic reviews for a child found disabled and is receiving benefits. These ongoing reviews may be required every three years if the child’s condition is expected to improve. If not expected to improve, the reviews may be needed although these may be less frequent. The reviews will evaluate the child’s current medical condition to decide whether it is improving. They will also ensure that the child is receiving appropriate medical care for their specific condition. The SSI benefits will continue without interruption provided the child is deemed to continue to be disabled and is receiving the required medical care.

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