How to Qualify for Disability Benefits
Parents would do anything to help protect and care for their children, and when your child has a serious medical condition, that might mean leaving the workforce so you can take care of your child and make sure they get the care they need. The Social Security Administration knows that can put a financial burden on parents, so they created the Supplemental Support Income program. Parents of children with serious medical conditions like cerebral palsy can file a claim for SSI benefits on behalf of their child. The money must be used for the child’s expenses, and parents will need to document how the money is spent, but the extra money can relieve some of the financial stress that parents face.
Qualifying For SSI Benefits
The Social Security Administration keeps a list of all the conditions that are eligible for SSI benefits called the Blue Book. Every listing in the Blue Book has a set of unique requirements that must be met. Parents must submit medical evidence and documentation that their child meets the listing requirements to be approved for SSI benefits.
Blue Book listing 111.07 is the listing for cerebral palsy. It states that the child must have significant trouble using their extremities and have severe limitations in things like walking, standing, balancing, getting up from a seated position, or using their arms and hands effectively to be eligible for SSI benefits. Parents can prove that their child meets the listing requirements by submitting a diagnosis of cerebral palsy along with X-rays, MRIs, and other tests that show the extent of the child’s limitations.
If you’re unsure if your child meets the requirements in the Blue Book, talk to your child’s doctor about the requirements and ask the doctor if your child meets the requirements. If your child doesn’t meet the exact requirements in the Blue Book, but you can prove that the child’s limitations are functionally limiting, your child may still qualify for SSI benefits.
Financial Requirements
There is another step in getting qualified for SSI benefits. Parents will need to prove that the total income in the household doesn’t exceed the income cap set by the Social Security Administration. All the adults in the household that work full time will have to submit either a W-2 or a federal tax return that shows their income. The income cap increases based on the number of people in the household that work full time, so most parents have no trouble meeting this requirement.
Filing A Claim
You can file a claim for SSI benefits for your child online through the SSA’s website. Make sure you submit as much documentation as possible with your child’s claim for benefits. If you’re unsure how to fill out the forms or submit medical documents, make an appointment at your local SSA office, and someone there can walk you through the application process and help you submit a claim.