Are Social Security Disability Benefits Available For Children?

When we think of Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income, we imagine the programs are typically used for older adults who are unable to continue working due to an injury or poor health; however, it’s important to remember that children may be able to benefit from these programs as well.

The Social Security Administration (SSA), offers Social Security Disability to adults who meet the agency’s definitions of disabled. They must have worked and paid into the system long enough to collect. Children can only collect these benefits once they reach adulthood and can show they have suffered from a disabling condition since before the age of 22-years-old.

On the other hand, children with disabilities may be able to qualify for Supplemental Security Income at any age. The child must meet certain income and health standards in order to qualify for these benefits though, including:

• The child must bring in less than $1,070 per month in income.
• The child’s condition must result in “marked and severe functional limitations”.
• The condition must have persisted for at least the past 12 months.

Even under a best-case scenario, it could still take between three to five months for a decision to be reached on the approval or denial of a SSI claim, which is why it’s crucial to have legal representation by your side throughout the filing process.

At the law firm of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our Supplemental Security Income attorneys can help walk you through each step of the claims process while answering each of your questions along the way. So give us a call if your child is suffering from a disabling condition and is in need of financial assistance through the federal disability program.