Is your child eligible for SSI? SSI is an abbreviation for Supplemental Security Income. This benefit is available for children (like adults) who suffer from a severe medical impairment. The impairment, or medical condition, must significantly impact the child’s ability to grow, function, or learn.
The first step in evaluating if your child is eligible for SSI is to address financial eligibility. SSI is a needs-based program and financial eligibility guidelines depend upon the household income (if any), the type of household income it is, and how many individuals reside within the home. Once this parameter is met, and financial eligibility is established, the severity of the child’s medical condition must be determined.
Disabling medical conditions for children can include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, and anxiety. Medical conditions must be shown to severely impact the child’s ability to function as compared to other children their same age. The Social Security Administration’s regulations allow for a finding of disability in children’s SSI claims if they meet or equal the requirements within the Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments for children describes a wide variety of medical impairments and lists the requirements necessary to establish the condition’s severity. If the child’s medical or school records establish the criteria necessary, Social Security will determine the Listing is met and benefits will be awarded.
In the alternative, it can be shown that the child’s severe medical condition “functionally equals” the listing. A severe condition may not meet all the specific requirements of the Listing, but remains significantly limiting under different criteria. This criteria requires proof of a severe impairment that causes “marked” limitation in two “domains”, or an “extreme” limitation in one domain. These “domains” are categorized as Acquiring and Using Information; Attending To or Completing Tasks; Interacting and Relating With Others; Moving About and Manipulating Objects; Caring for Yourself; and Health and Physical Well-Being.
In order to find a “marked” limitation in a domain, the impairment must severely interfere with the child’s ability to engage in activities related to that domain. For an “extreme” limitation, the impairment must very seriously interfere with the child’s ability to engage in activities within that domain.
Having a child with a severe medical or psychological impairment can be overwhelming and stressful. Our office is here to assist you in determining eligibility, understanding the requirements, and navigating the process of children’s SSI benefits. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding your child and SSI benefits.
