Child S.S.I.

 

Children from birth up to age 18 may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.) benefits.  The child must have a physical and/or mental condition that very seriously limits his or her activities.  The condition must have lasted at least one year, or be expected to last one year or result in death.  Additionally, the parents' income and assets must fall within Social Security's eligibility limits.

 

IS MY CHILD DISABLED?

 

The child's impairment(s) must cause what Social Security considers "marked" or "severe" functional limitations.  Social Security compares the claimant to a child of the same age who does not have impairments. They consider any extra help a child may require to do age-appropriate activities.  Your child may be a candidate for S.S.I. if one or more of the following applies:

 

• frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits
• frequent absences from school
• use of adaptive devices
• difficulty walking, running, jumping, throwing a ball, bike riding, etc.
• difficulty with fine motor skills such as writing
• difficulty expressing himself in words, or understanding verbal language
• trouble with law enforcement
• poor discipline record at school
• attendance at out-of-district school or need for one-on-one aide
• side effects of medication that limit activities
• held back in school
• lagging behind peers developmentally in any way.