A child under the age of 18 who has a physical or mental disability may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if the family is financially eligible. SSI is a cash assistance program to help low income families with expenses that occur when providing for children with special needs. For example, such parents must pay for transportation to medical appointments, medications, and therapy. Additionally, parents with disabled children more commonly have to miss work to take their children to doctors, therapists, school conferences, and other care-giving activities. Children's SSI provides additional income to families in order for children to receive quality health care while remaining in their own home.
When applying for SSI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will look at a child's functioning in six areas or "domains." The domains are (1) acquiring and using information; (2) attending and completing tasks; (3) interacting and relating with others; (4) moving about and manipulating objects; (5) caring for yourself; and (6) health and physical well-being. If a child has a severe problem in one domain or a "marked" problem in two domains ("marked" means less than severe and more than moderate), then the child's condition should be considered disabling. A child with a disabling condition qualifies for SSI.
A person interested in filing an application for a child to receive SSI should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security Office. They will help you fill out the appropriate forms. Applications for child SSI can also be completed online at www.ssa.gov. In addition to the application, SSA will ask for detailed information about the medical condition of the child. SSA will also ask permission to look at his or her school and medical records. Bring any records related to the child's special needs to your appointment at SSA.
Legal Aid does not help file applications for SSI, but if you believe a child's SSI benefits have been wrongfully denied or terminated, please call Legal Aid at 1-888-817-3777 to find out if you are eligible for assistance.
This article was written by Legal Aid Managing Attorney Davida Dodson and appeared in The Alert: Volume 29, Issue 3. Click here to read the full issue.