Can I Get SSI for my Autistic Child?

Parents of autistic children sometimes wonder if their child qualifies for Childhood SSI disability benefits due to Autism. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI. The requirements are actually more stringent. The Social Security Administration determines whether the claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or

Childhood SSI for Vision Problems

Children suffering from vision problems may qualify for Childhood SSI benefits.  The Social Security Administration determines whether the claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the criteria of a listing, or that functionally equals the listings. Disability benefits would be awarded if the claimant or her representative can show: 102.02

Childhood SSI Benefits for Anxiety Disorders

Many parents often wonder if their child qualifies for Childhood SSI disability benefits due to an anxiety disorder. Childhood claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability. The requirements are actually more stringent. The Social Security Administration determines whether the child has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the

Childhood SSI Benefits for Asthma

children suffering from asthma growth impairment may be eligible for Childhood SSI benefits. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

Childhood SSI for Kids with Severe Hearing Loss

A child suffering from severe hearing loss may qualify for Childhood SSI benefits. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI and the requirements are actually more stringent. The Social Security Administration determines whether the child has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the criteria

Childhood SSI and Health and Physical Well-Being

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates the claim. The SSA looks at the child’s functioning in terms of six domains. This entry dealing with Health and Physical Well-Being is the sixth in a series discussing domains of function.  In this domain, SSA considers the cumulative physical effects of physical

Childhood SSI and the Domain of Caring for Yourself

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates the claim. The SSA looks at the child’s functioning in terms of six domains. This entry deals with Caring for Yourself and is the fifth in a series discussing domains of function. In this domain, SSA considers how well someone maintains a

Childhood SSI and Moving About and Manipulating Objects

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates the claim. The SSA looks at the child’s functioning in terms of six domains. This entry dealing with Moving About and Manipulating Objects is the fourth in a series discussing domains of function.  In this domain, SSA considers how the child

Childhood SSI and Interacting and Relating to Others

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates the claim. The SSA looks at the child’s functioning in terms of six domains.  This entry dealing with Interacting and Relating with Others is the third in a series discussing domains of function. In this domain, the SSA considers how well the child initiates

Childhood SSI Claims and Attending and Completing Tasks

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits for their child are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates and decides the claim. If a child does not meet a “Listing”, one must assess the claimant’s functioning in terms of six domains: (1) acquiring and using information; (2) attending and completing tasks; (3) interacting and

Childhood SSI and Domain of Acquiring and Using Information

Parents applying for childhood SSI benefits for their child are often confused by how the Social Security Administration evaluates and decides the claim.  This blog entry will be the first part of a series talking about “domains of functioning.” A child has to have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or equals an impairment listed in

Childhood SSI for Mental Retardation or Intellectual Disability

Children with intellectual disability or what has been known as mental retardation may qualify for Childhood SSI benefits. Benefits may be awarded if the claimant can show: 112.05 Mental Retardation: Characterized by significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits in adaptive functioning. The required level of severity for this disorder is met when the requirements in

Childhood SSI Benefits for Dysfunction of Joints

Children suffering from musculoskeletal problems may qualify for Childhood SSI benefits.  The Social Security Administration determines of the child has a condition(s) that meets or medically equals the criteria of a listing, or that functionally equals the listings.  The listing for joint dysfunction is as follows: Major dysfunction of a joint(s): Characterized by gross anatomical deformity and chronic joint

Childhood SSI Benefits Due to Growth Impairment

SSI benefits may be available for children suffering from a growth impairment. The growth impairment may be disabling itself or may be the result of another disease, condition, or injury. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI. The requirements are actually more stringent. If the child is not

Childhood SSI for Epilepsy or Seizure Disorder

Children suffering from a seizure disorder or epilepsy may qualify for Childhood SSI disability benefits. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI.  The Social Security Administration determines whether the child has impairments that meets or medically equals a “listing,”  or that functionally equals a listing. The Childhood Listings involving seizures or

Childhood SSI for Cystic Fibrosis

Children suffering from cystic fibrosis may be eligible for Childhood SSI benefits. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI. The requirements are actually more stringent. The Social Security Administration determines whether the claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the criteria

Childhood SSI Benefits Due to Cerebral Palsy

Children suffering from cerebral palsy may be eligible for Childhood SSI benefits. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than adult claims for Social Security Disability or SSI. The requirements are actually more stringent. If the child is not working and has “severe” impairments, the Social Security Administration determines whether the claimant has an impairment or

Childhood SSI Benefits

Childhood Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are available to children from birth up to age eighteen. To qualify for childhood SSI benefits, a child must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition for disability for children and the parents must have low income and few resources. If under 18, whether or not married or head of household, the

“Extreme” Limitations in Childhood SSI Cases

In childhood SSI claims, the claimant must show she has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or equals an impairment listed in Subpart P, Appendix 1 of 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404. If a listing is not met, disability can  nonetheless be established if the impairment is medically or functionally equivalent by having “marked” limitations

“Marked” Limitations in Childhood SSI Claims

In a childhood SSI claim, the claimant must show he has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or equals an impairment listed in Subpart P, Appendix 1 of 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404. If a listing is not met, disability may nonetheless be established if the impairment is medically or functionally equivalent by having “marked” limitations in