How Using Social Security Disability Benefits Can Help Children

The Social Security Administration is available to administer benefits to Americans who are disabled both physically and mentally, and that includes adults and children. When parents have applied for disability for their child, the benefit is truly the child's although the benefits are paid and accounted for as part of the social security earnings of the parent. Many families need this additional income to help with costs for the child's care, or when one parent may have to stay at home with the child in order to provide around the clock care.

Benefits are available to children who are under the age of 18, and after that they would need to apply on their own as an adult, or if necessary their appointed legal guardian. The child should not be earning more than $1,000 a month; otherwise they will not be considered disabled. The child's condition may also be expected to last at least one year, or end tragically in death. Reviews are done every three years to ensure that the child is still eligible to receive benefits, according to the guidelines set forth. In most cases the families that are applying are doing so because the child is limited in their function, and the parent may have to be at home to care for them. This really limits a families potential for income, and when the child is living with a single mother they could have the added expense of hiring in home help for the child. This disability income will be helpful in providing funds to cover those costs.

Children may also have conditions that don't necessarily limit their function entirely, but the child may have a need for a therapist. This is another major expenditure for a family, and having the disability income available will allow the family to have the professionals available to help their child that otherwise they could not afford. Getting the funds and the right professionals in place can be stressful, and depending on the medical condition the family may begin receiving their payments right away. However, it is important to ask as many questions as possible upfront to ensure that you know what to expect.

The child will also be helped tremendously by having access to insurance like Medicaid. Medicaid is automatic for those children who are receiving social security benefits, when the family has limited resources. However, there are still insurance benefits available to those children whose families are making more than Medicaid guidelines allow. The coverage would be like a standard policy that provides coverage on prescription drugs, vision needs, hearing needs, and even mental health needs. All fifty states have access to these health insurance programs, and it is best if the parent contacts the state's Medicaid offices as soon as possible so that the coverage can be accessed as quickly as possible. Social security disability benefits can help your child not only with financial needs, but will ensure that they have access to other beneficial resources.

Disability Group Inc was founded on the principles of dignity and respect. We are a national law firm focused exclusively on helping people receive the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve. Visit us at http://www.socialsecuritylaw.com