Social Security Disability and Children

Children with significant mental or physical impairments may qualify for supplemental security income (SSI). The Social Security Administration may consider conditions such as cystic fibrosis, blindness, autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, heart defects and seizure disorders disabling.

Function

• To qualify for SSI disability, a child must have severely limited physical or mental functioning. The disability must have already lasted at least one year or a physician must report that the disability will last at least one year. The six areas of functioning that will be considered by the Social Security office include the ability to acquire and use information, the ability to attend to and complete tasks, to interact and relate to others, to move and manipulate objects, to care for oneself and the overall health of the child.

Application

• Parents can submit an SSI disability application online or in person at the local social security administration office. The social security administration usually makes a decision concerning disability applications within five months. The Social Security administration requires medical and educational documentation in order to consider SSI benefits for a child.

Considerations

• The Social Security Administration also considers the family's income when awarding children with SSI disability. The disability determination office may not provide benefits to households with sufficient incomes. Income limitations vary depending on the number of children in the household.