4 Things to Remember When Applying for Social Security Disability for a Child With Special Needs

4 Things to Remember When Applying for Social Security Disability for a Child With Special Needs

As any parent who has a child with special needs will tell you, taking care of them is a full-time job. Keeping up with their needs in regards to the medical treatments they need and scheduling doctor’s appointments will take a lot of time out of a parent’s day. Seeking out help from organizations like the bequest program is a great idea for parents of kids with disabilities. In most cases, it will become tough for a parent of a child with special needs to support them financially as time goes by. Applying for Social Security Disability benefits is a great way for a parent to get the money their child needs to live. When applying for these benefits, here are some of the things a parent will need to remember.

1. Get to Know the SSI Eligibility Criteria

The first thing you need to do before applying for disability benefits for your child is what the criteria is for getting approved. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has different standards for children with disabilities. To be considered eligible for these benefits, a child will have to exhibit a condition that prohibits them from participating in regular daily activities. The condition a child has must last for at least one year before they can qualify for these benefits. If it is determined a child is eligible for disability benefits, the SSA will then start evaluating the parent’s financial records.

Neglecting to find out this type of information can make it very hard to get through this process. The last thing you want to do is complicate this process due to a lack of research. There are so many websites out there dedicated to helping parents of disabled children with this filing process. Taking advantage of these resources can help you greatly.

2. Applying for the Benefits Properly

There is a certain way you will have to apply for these types of disability benefits for your child. Neglecting to follow the proper steps may make it difficult to get approved. The first step of this process is filling out the “Child Disability Report.” This will require you to give details on the condition your child has and the capacity they have for performing daily activities. While it is an option to fill out this form online, most parents prefer to fill it out in person. Filling out this report in person will allow you to ask any questions you may have.

3. Getting Documentation Ready for the Disability Interview Appointment

With over 10 million people receiving disability benefits in this country, the SSA office stays quite busy. This is why scheduling a disability interview appointment is important. Before going in for this appointment, you will need to take the time to get your paperwork together. Having things like your child’s medical and school records is important when trying to get approved for these disability benefits. By taking the time to get the documents compiled and organized, you may be able to reduce the amount of time you have to wait for a decision. Getting some guidance from a lawyer who has experience with this type of law can be very beneficial.

4. Getting Legal Help Is a Must

The biggest mistake that most parents make when applying for these benefits is failing to get legal representation. If the first claim you make is denied, you need to know what your rights are regarding an appeal. With the help of a knowledgeable lawyer, you will be able to figure out what you need to do to get your case heard. The best thing you can do when trying to find a lawyer to help during a case like this is to go in for a series of consultations.

While getting these benefits for your disabled child will be a bit difficult, it is well worth the time you invest.