SSI Benefits Can be Difficult to Obtain

Children with special needs often require a great deal of expensive care. This can place a significant financial burden on parents or guardians. Flexible employment is a necessity in order to provide the child the proper attention and care.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to children with disabilities. It can be extremely difficult to receive benefits, since so many factors go into examining the child's application. The agency will examine the income and resources of the child's household, and if this amount exceeds a specific amount, benefits will be denied.

The child's application must also show that the child is disabled. Applicants must demonstrate that there are physical or mental conditions that result in "marked and severe functional limitations", and this must last or expect to last for 12 months.

In order to receive SSI benefits, parents or guardians must show that the child's condition meets or medically equals one of the listed criteria, or that the impairment functionally equals one of the listed conditions.

Certain impairments, such as total blindness or deafness, autism or other serious conditions, may receive pre-approval while the applications for benefits are pending. Generally, the agency will need to review each application to determine if benefits are proper. Additionally, the SSA will periodically review a child's situation to see if the disability is ongoing.

Knowing what information to include that demonstrates a child's disability is extremely important. The application process can be very time-consuming, and this can be frustrating for those who depend upon the benefits to make ends meet. A lack of necessary information can cause an application to be denied, which may result in needing to reapply or appeal the agency's decision.