Disabled Children - Supplemental Security Income

Caring for a child is a very rewarding and important job, however it is never simple, especially if the child is disabled.

In the United States a parent or caregiver of a disabled child that meets Social Security's definition of disability for children may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments if their income or resources fall within the eligibility limits. Local Social Security office can provide information on the amount of SSI payment, which differs from state to state.

SSI payments are limited to $30 per month when a child is in a medical facility paid for by health insurance. To be eligible for SSI a child must meet the requirements below;

• Child must not be working and earning more that $1000 per month in 2011.
• Child must have mental or physical condition or a combination of conditions that result in marked and severe functional limitations.
• Child's condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months or be terminal.

To apply for SSI parents and caregivers are asked to provide detailed information on the condition and how it affects daily life and to give permission for third parties (doctors, therapists, teachers etc) to provide Social Services with all information relating to the child.

Each State has a Disability Determination Service, staffed by doctors and trained professionals, that will assess the child's records to determine eligibility. If the Disability Determination Service cannot make this decision the child may be required to undertake a medical examination. The cost of this examination will be covered by Social Security.

Determining if a child is eligible for payments can take up to six month, however some conditions are eligible for immediate payments for up to six months while the child is assessed for permanent payments.

The following are conditions that may be eligible for immediate payments;

• HIV infection
• Total blindness
• Total deafness
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Severe mental retardation (child age 7 or older); and
• Birth weight below 2 pounds, 10 ounces.

If a child has a qualifying condition and receives immediate payments but is then found not to meet the requirements for a permanent payment the SSI payments already received will not have to be repaid.

Social Services will review all children who receive payments at least once every three years until the age of 18 years. If a child is eligible for a payment due to low birth weight that child will be assessed by age on