Can my disabled child receive Social Security benefits?

Caring for a disabled child can be disheartening, frustrating-and costly. As a result, many parents depend on Social Security disability benefits for children, which provides income for child care and medical expenses for Florida children with special needs.

There are a few steps to take before you can receive child disability benefits. First, your child must be considered disabled by the Social Security Association.

In order to meet their definition of “disabled,” your child:

• Must not hold a job where he earns a substantial income. In 2011, that income is over $1,000 per month (the amount changes year to year).
• Must have a mental condition, a physical condition, or a combination of factors that severely limits your child’s ability to function or develop normally.
• Must have a condition that is expected to hinder your child’s abilities for at least a year. Under the SSA’s definition of “marked and severe functional limitations,” a child’s condition will last the rest of the child’s life or will ultimately result in death.

If your child meets the disability requirements, he can receive a Social Security Income (SSI) payment. However, the amount can vary significantly based on a few details, such as his parents’ income, his living situation, and the number of resources the child has available for his condition.

A few ways your income and lifestyle can affect your child’s benefit payments:

• If your child lives at home, your income can affect the amount of benefits your child can receive. If your income is deemed sufficient for your child’s support, Social Security benefits will be denied.
• Benefits may be reduced or denied if your household income is high, and your child lives in a school facility but returns home to your care.
• If the child lives in a medical facility covered by health insurance, his monthly Social Security Income will be limited to $30.

As experienced Palm Beach Social Security disability attorneys, we know that these rules are not necessarily a good indicator of your child’s needs. For example, taking the overall income of your household will result in a high figure-but it may not account for other children working their way through school, or income from other relatives living in the house that is not used toward your disabled child’s care.

There are several personal factors that can affect your child’s application for benefits. That’s why having a Social Security disability lawyer on your side is such a valuable asset: we get a judge to see your case on a personal level, rather than just a name on a form.

If your child’s application for disability benefits in Florida was denied, call Fetterman & Associates today at (866) 865-1244 to get the compensation your family deserves.