I get calls every day from parents who hope to obtain SSI disability benefits for their children. Here’s what you need to consider if you’re thinking about applying:
1. As with adults, if a child meets or equals the symptoms required for a disability on Social Security’s list, the child can be found disabled. The key is medical evidence.
(http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ChildhoodListings.htm)
2. Also similar to adults, even if a child does not meet or equal a listing, the child can be found disabled. SSA evaluates physical and mental impairments in children in terms of several domains of activity that together represent all aspects of a child’s functioning.
a) acquiring and using information; and
b) attending to and completing tasks; and
c) interacting and relating with others; and
d) moving about and manipulating objects; and
e) the ability to take care of oneself; and
f) health and physical well-being.
A teacher’s evidence will be critical with respect to some of these.
3. Finally, as with adults, even if a child meets the medical definition of disability, the child must still meet the financial criteria, which means looking at the household income and resources.