Last week I started a Q & A series designed to cover some more elusive topics related to Social Security Disability claims. In part 2 of this series, which follows, I briefly discuss the requirements that have to be met in order for children to qualify for Social Security Disability.
Question:
What are the requirements for a disabled child to qualify for Social Security disability
benefits?
My answer:
As with adults, there are two Social Security disability programs available to disabled children: SSI and SSDI. They differ according to the child’s age.
Program #1: SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a child from birth to age 18 may receive monthly payments based on disability or blindness if he/she meets the following two requirements:
- He/She has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets the SSA’s definition of disability which is defined as a “medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that causes marked or severe functional limitations and that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.”
- The income and resources of the parents and the disabled child are within the allowed limits.
Program #2: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, an adult child, which is understood as a person age 18 or older, may receive monthly benefits based on disability or blindness if he/she meets the requirements stated below:
- He or she has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets the definition of disability as stated above;
- The disability began before age 22; and
- The adult child’s parent worked long enough to be insured under Social Security and is receiving retirement or disability benefits or is deceased.
It is important to note that a common thread to both of these programs is that the child at issue must not be doing any substantial work.