The Supplemental Security Income for Children or SSI for children is a special government program for disabled children. This program is different from Social Security and is not funded through Social Security funds. Instead, it’s paid from general federal funds.
While the program has good intentions to help children who are low-income and have a disability, qualifying for the program can be a real challenge.
What does it take to complete the SSI application for children and get it approved? Read on to learn more about how to apply for SSI for children.
Defining Child for SSI
To qualify for child benefits for SSI, let’s look at how SSI defines the term child.
The applicant must not be married or the head of the household in which they live.
The child should be 18 years old or younger. The child could be 22 years old or younger if they are in school as defined by Social Security.
How Children Can Qualify
There are several criteria to qualify for SSI benefits for children. First, they must meet the age requirements listed above.
Next, they must be low-income based on Social Security criteria.
Most significantly, they must have a disability that prevents them from working. They will need to prove a physical or mental condition that prohibits their activity level.
The physical or mental condition from which they suffer must be expected to last at least one year or one that will result in the death of the child.
Applying for SSI
Applying for SSI benefits for a child needs to be done in two steps. The Social Security Administration puts out a Child Disability Starter Kit that provides guidance for the application process. It’s recommended all who are considering applying to read through this kit.
The first step involves completing the Online Child Disability Report. The parent or guardian will be asked to sign a release form that allows the child’s doctor to release information to SSI for verification purposes.
After completing this online form the parent or guardian will get contacted via telephone to review the form and begin the verification process for income. Then the application can be started.
Getting SSI Benefits for a Child
The application process can be time-consuming and arduous with many checkpoints for the applicant. If you’re approved, what you receive is a monthly benefit for the child. This amount will vary based on the other income of the household.
Benefits are not permanent either. It’s required that every three years the case be re-evaluated for continued eligibility.
SSI Application for Children
If you have a child with a disability and think they might qualify based on income, it might be time to explore the SSI application for children. Getting monthly benefits for your disabled child could be very helpful to their care and needs.
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