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Government Benefits:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Social Security has a disability program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offering payments for children with disabilities. Your child, if younger than age 18, can qualify if he or she has a physical or mental condition, or combination of conditions, that meets Social Security’s definition of disability for children, and if his or her income and resources fall within the eligibility limits. If your child’s income and resources, or the income and resources of family members living in the child’s household, are more than the amount allowed, they will deny the child’s application for SSI payments.
How does SSI/SSDI help the person with a disability or family support system?
The SSI program makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind, and disabled persons (including children) who have limited income and resources. Medicaid is a health care program for people with low incomes and limited resources. Children who will be eligible for SSI payments will qualify for Medicaid health care.
How may a parent/caregiver gain access to Social Security?
You can apply for SSI payments for your child by calling Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office. If you are applying for SSI payments for your child, you should have his or her Social Security number and birth certificate with you. If your child is younger than age 18 and applying for SSI, you must provide records that show your income and resources, as well as those of your child. You will be asked to describe how your child’s disability affects his or her ability to perform daily activities. In addition, you will be asked for the names of teachers, day care providers, and family members who can provide information about how your child functions. If you have school records, you should bring them to the interview.
Recommended websites, YouTube videos, and books:
The most convenient way to conduct Social Security business from anywhere at any time, is to visit their website Click Here. If you don’t have access to the internet, they offer many automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. If you need to speak to a person, they will answer calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
When looking for these services are there any questions or observations you would recommend parents to investigate before selecting a provider?
There is a $2000.00 resource limit for eligibility for SSI. The most that can be received in monthly cash payments is $750.00 for 2018, this is called the Federal Benefit Rate. From this amount, the SSI payment will then be calculated with the parent’s income being deemed and all other income taken into account. If the total income is too high, then you will not be eligible. Parents can look at Medicaid Waiver programs, the Home and Community Based Services offered through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), for assistance. For more information contact the APD Southeast Region Office at: (844) 766-7520. You can also research services available for children with disabilities through the Department of Children
and Families online Click Here.
References:
Social Security Administration. Benefits for children with disabilities.
ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance National Training and Data Center
vcu-ntdc.org/index.cfm
Written by: Angie Hoffman, Community Work Incentives Coordinator
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