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If you’re like us, you’d do just about anything to ensure your loved ones can live comfortable, happy lives. But, as a parent of a disabled child, you already know that this can be expensive. Specialized education, therapy, mobility aids and medical assistance are all costly — but necessary — parts of ensuring high quality lives for children with disabilities. That’s why taking advantage of federal assistance is important. Thanks to the supplemental security income (SSI) program offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you can get the financial benefits you need to help your child thrive.
Whether you’re just beginning to research SSI child disability benefits or you have already had an application denied, hiring a disability lawyer to assist you can be highly beneficial. Keep reading to find out why.
There are many criteria that must be met before a family is deemed eligible for SSI benefits by the SSA. The age and medical conditions of the disabled child will be considered, and a family’s gross monthly income must be under a certain amount (as specified by the SSA), depending on whether it’s a one- or two-parent household and how many ineligible children are in the family.
Some of the most important requirements for eligibility are:
The SSA regularly updates its list of qualifying medical conditions for SSI benefits. These include (but aren’t limited to) autism, schizophrenia, deafness, cerebral palsy, ADD and ADHD, down syndrome, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions, cystic fibrosis, juvenile diabetes and very low birth weight.
Some of these conditions can result in an automatic approval for benefits, while others require more legwork on the part of the family in order to prove their child’s eligibility. These are not the only eligible conditions; any condition which leads to serious functional limitations can be considered based on the medical documentation provided. There’s no minimum age at which a child can start receiving SSI benefits. Once the child ages out of the program, they will need to be reevaluated before their disability is deemed eligible for adult benefits.
It may seem simple at the start, but applying for SSI benefits can be far more challenging than you might expect. It can be comparatively easier to get SSI benefits for blind children, but if your child is functionally impaired due to a different medical condition, the strength of your application will be key, as it will be subject to the SSA’s interpretation. This is why collecting clear documentation of your child’s condition is crucial — and why hiring a disability lawyer like J. Robert Surface can be vital.
With years of experience, Mr. Surface has worked with many families that are battling to get the SSI benefits they deserve. He is deeply familiar with the Social Security Administration and the process of building an SSI application. He’ll contact medical professionals, collect records and assemble the application for you, ensuring it contains a complete picture of your child’s condition and impairment. A large amount of documentation is required, including income statements, contact information for doctors, therapists, teachers, psychologists and anyone else who has worked with your child, medical records, lab tests, diagnosis reports, a list of medications your child is taking and more. These are most of the essentials, but depending on your case, Mr. Surface may collect additional records or expert statements to strengthen your application.
You already have your hands full as you care for your child. You don’t need to spend extra time doing research into the SSI application process. Let Mr. Surface do the hard work for you.
If you have already had an application denied, don’t panic — it is still possible for you to get the benefits you’re looking for. Many parents who have had their SSI applications denied turn to disability lawyers for help. As previously mentioned, the completeness of your application is key, and if you didn’t provide enough information the first time around, the SSA may have denied you for that reason.
Additionally, if your child has a condition that is not automatically approved, the SSA looks at a number of other criteria when determining your child’s eligibility for benefits. These include:
If the SSA considers your child to be ineligible according to these criteria, your application will be denied. But don’t worry — you have the opportunity to appeal the decision. It takes several steps to appeal, beginning with a request for reconsideration. If an administrative law judge and an Appeal Council review are both unsuccessful, you can file your case in federal court. This process is time-consuming and complex, so we recommend contacting our office as soon as possible if your SSI application is denied. We can help you start your appeal today.
If your family is in critical need of financial assistance from SSI benefits, but you aren’t sure how to manage the laborious application process, contact Mr. Surface today. He will answer your questions, coordinate your application or appeal and help you get the disability benefits your family deserves. Plus, once you have been deemed eligible, Mr. Surface can assist you in preparing for periodic reviews by the SSA, which will occur over time to ensure your family is still financially eligible and that you’re using the funds in an appropriate manner.
Don’t waste any time — your child deserves the best possible quality of life and medical care. Get the SSI benefits you need with the help of a qualified, experienced legal representative like J. Robert Surface.
If you have questions or want to take advantage of a free case review, we are available 24/7 at (864) 235-0886. There is no guarantee you will win benefits if you apply. The office of J. Robert Surface, Attorney at Law is located at 513 E Greer St, Honea Path, SC 29654. He proudly serves clients from Greenville, Clemson and Spartanburg.