Children with disabilities and their families face several obstacles from a young age. One of the most difficult issues for disabled kids and their families to overcome involves finding a way to afford the medical care that the children need. Living with a disability is costly, including:
- Outfitting your home and vehicles with equipment necessary to properly house and transport a child with a disability
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy and training
- Specialized equipment such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or leg braces
- Behavioral therapy
- Prescription medication
Are Kids Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Kids cannot collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), because to secure SSDI, a person must have worked long enough to contribute to the Social Security system. However, disabled children can collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Children with disabilities are eligible to collect SSI from birth until age 18 as long as their disability and income (including parents’ income) meets certain criteria.
How Can I Apply for Disability Benefits for My Child?
The process of securing SSI for disabled children is not as simple as people sometimes believe. It can involve filing a lot of complicated paperwork, and if your application is denied, you will have to appeal the denial to secure disability benefits for your child. In many cases, hiring a Social Security Disability lawyer for your application or appeal is the best decision you can make. An experienced disability benefits attorney can help you avoid the pitfalls you could face during the application or appeal process and give you a much better chance to successfully secure disability benefits for your child.
