How to Apply for Disability for a Mentally Ill Child

Dealing with a mentally ill child is devastating for families, both emotionally and financially. Finding financial support can be difficult, but help is available through the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). A disabled child under 18 is defined as having severe functional limitations lasting at least a year. For an child over 18, SSA will only pay out only for a total disability that prevents him from working and lasts at least a year.

Things You'll Need

• Medical records
• Social Security number
• Birth certificate

Show More

Instructions

Applying for benefits

• 1

  Fill out an Application for Supplemental Security Income if your son is under age 18. You will be asked about your son's illness and how it effects him. This form must be completed online. Call [phone] to schedule an appointment or receive help filling out the application.

• 2

  Review SSA's Child Disability Starter Kit; contact SSA to find out if your income is within the allowed limits; and fill out the online Child Disability Report, which will require you to allow SSA to speak with your son's doctor.

• 3

  Complete an application for Social Security Benefits along with an Adult Disability Report, if your son is over 18. You can call [phone] for help with your adult son's disability application.

• 4

  The steps for an adult child are to review the Adult Disability Starter Kit, fill out the online application for Social Security Benefits; and fill out the online Adult Disability Report requiring you to allow Social Security to talk with your son's doctor.

• 5

  Start with an internet appeal, If your son has recently been denied Social Security disability payments. You will need a Notice of Disapproved Claim, a Notice of Reconsideration or Notice of Federal Reviewing Official Decision.