Qualifying children

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I have children and their father has recently went for a hearing is waiting on a decision. I was told that the kids will qualify for benefits. I have several questions.
How is the amount determined?
What are the rules for the cutoff age to recieve benefits?
Do the children recieve back pay as well?
What steps if any do I need to take to set up their case?
If a child is 18 but still in high school do they qualify, and for how long?

Anonymous (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:57 Permalink

my grandaughter is 22 now lives with us she is manic bi-polar is she eligible for disability? her and her parents do not get along it is a stressful situation, i am on social security a fixed income, not a lot for 1 person let alone 2.please help

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:57 Permalink

Hi there,
Your granddaughter could definitely qualify for SSDI benefits if her disability prevents her from preforming work. You can read more about bipolar and Social Security Disability benefits here: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/bipolar-di…
Keep in mind that you will need thorough medical documentation proving that any treatments she's attempted have not improved her situation, and that her bipolar disorder prevents her from doing any form of work. I often recommend that people looking to apply for disability benefits with a mental disorder contact an attorney. Mental disorders can be challenging to receive benefits for, so that's why you may want to consider the assistance of a disability advocate. You can get in contact with one in your area by taking our 100% Free Disability Evaluation: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation

Anonymous (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:57 Permalink

My son who is now 19, received SSI from age 5. He no longer receives this as my finances increased. He will be 20 in July. I need to know how to get it for him again so that he can live on his own. He will still need help making sure his expenses are paid with his SSI. What should I do? I want to help him become more independent, but due to his disabilities he cannot hold a job.

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:57 Permalink

Hi there,
This is unfortunately a difficult situation because unless he is already living on his own, he will not qualify for SSI benefits due to your income. But if he moves out on his own, he will not be able to afford the expenses without SSI payments. I think you should go to your local SSA office to see if there is any way his income could be counted separately from yours, or if there is any other option for him. I imagine this is a very challenging situation for you, and I apologize we can't be more help!

Carly (not verified)

In reply to by D (not verified)

Thu, 11/02/2017 - 14:09 Permalink

I think you miss understood. He already had ssi, when I met him . They told me at socially security we could keep our survivor benefits from when her biological dad died but only one person per household could get ssi and now we are separated due to his PTSD AND MY DAUGHTER HAS ADHD AND EMITIONAL DISORDER, CAN I REAPPLY NOW THAT WEVE LIVED A YEAR SEPERATE FROM HIM AND DONT SHATE FINANCES AT ALL.

Kaycee (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:59 Permalink

Hello, my son has a horrible temper. He will be 3 in April; I know all three year olds have tempers. But my son results to physically hurting himself. He will bang his head on anything (Windows, doors, hits himself in the head, ect.) He does this anytime we go to the babysitter (I have tried many different ones) when he does not get his way, when you nicely tell him no, when you touch him, ect. I have tried different ways to try and make him understand it is not okay, but he does not talk nor comprehend what you say to him very well. We have tried speech therapy and it got too costly for a single mom to keep up with. I don’t exactly know if my son has a “Disability” But I defiantly think that there is some type of development issue or anger issue. I do work a Full time job but after day care we have about $250 a week to live off of. I do not receive any other help. Do you think SSI is something for me?

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:59 Permalink

Hi Kaycee,
I just read more about this now, and I actually believe your son may qualify for some form of SSI benefits. He is right on the cusp of two different age ranges for childhood disability: Age 1-3 and age 3-6. The two categories have slightly different qualifying factors, and your son's symptoms sound more similar to the 3-6 age range. There are basically three levels of qualification a 3 year old will need to receive benefits: cognitive/communicative function, social function, and personal function. For cognitive function, you'll have to be able to prove that he is mentally behind compared to children his age. You can do this with an IQ test, or by proving that his speaking abilities are not average (which it sounds like they are not). For social function, you'll need to show that he is unable to form relationships with peers, relatives, or others in general. Because he is not in preschool yet this may be hard, but you can discuss how he has had temper issues with adults. Finally, you can show that his personal functioning is not typical because he tries to harm himself. You can read more about it here: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/112.00-MentalDisor…
I have no idea if qualifying a child with a mental issue is easier than an adult, but it is a very difficult battle for most adults. I'd recommend getting an IQ test done, or having him evaluated by a psychiatrist. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment to fill out the paperwork, because SSI evaluations must be made in-person. Good luck.

Nikki (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:59 Permalink

I was recently approved for supplemental security income for physical disability. I use to receive social security when I was a minor off my dad after he became deceased, of course that stopped at age 18. Anyhow I have a 7 year old with adhd and possible aspergers. I am stuggling trying to support myself and daughter off of my very small income. Would there be any way my daughter could be eligible for some kind of social security benefits. Thanks for your time. God bless!

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:00 Permalink

Hi Nikki,
Your daughter could potentially qualify for disability benefits, but she would be MUCH more likely to be approved if she had an Asperger's diagnosis. Qualifying as a child is very different than qualifying as an adult, so we don't actually have any articles on how to qualify as an adult. (I'll be sure to work on adding some!) But one thing you'll need to prove is that your daughter is struggling in school due to her disability, whether it be from poor grades, frequent trips to the school counselor, etc. Maybe you can speak with her school and see if there are any psychiatrists available to the students. I would imagine that sending her to see one on SSI alone would be very challenging. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule a time to stop in and start the claim process! You cannot fill out applications for children's benefits online.

Nikkii V (not verified)

In reply to by D (not verified)

Sun, 06/04/2017 - 15:51 Permalink

My son has ADD and is one meds to help him focus and stay calm. So, I should just apply for Noah and not worry about getting him added to his fathers??

Bryan

In reply to by Nikkii V (not verified)

Tue, 06/06/2017 - 12:28 Permalink

Hi there,
If the father is receiving benefits based off of his work record, you may be able to apply for benefits based on the father's work record. However, you also may want to apply for SSI benefits as well.

Catherine (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:00 Permalink

I am wondering how it works when I am receiving SSDI and have 2 boys (who qualify for dependent benefits) under me they were receiving them then SS switched them to their father account which he lost his benefits so boys have an overpayment on his account ; so they aren't recieving any benefits. I am divorced due to domestic violence and am not responsible for overpayment. I live in subsidized housing. And all other services were based on income so now the boys are being penalized for their fathers doing

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:00 Permalink

Hi Catherine,
I am very sorry to hear about this situation. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of advice on how to fix the overpayment. Sometimes the SSA will waive overpayment fees if you can prove that you needed all of the extra benefits for the boys' well being. I would call the SSA to learn more. You call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213

TaMesha (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:01 Permalink

I don't know if it's true but I live in the state of ny and my mother passed away 9 months ago someone told me since I'm recieving ssi for being disabled i should be able to recieve my mothers social security cause I'm disabled and if it's true can I collect it even though I'm 38 years old

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:01 Permalink

Hi TaMesha,
First off, I am very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. This information could be true. It would depend on what type of benefits your mother was receiving, and when you were found disabled. If your mother was receiving SSDI benefits, then you could potentially receive her survivors' benefits. You would only be eligible, however, if you became disabled before age 22. So if you've been receiving SSI benefits for a disability since childhood, you are eligible for her benefits. If you received your SSI benefits as an adult, you are not eligible for her benefits.

tammy (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:01 Permalink

My sons father receives SSDI, does my son get Medicare automatically since the child support office ordered him to cover insurance expenses?

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:01 Permalink

Hi Tammy,
I do not believe so. As far as I know, the only way children can get Medicare is if they've been diagnosed with ALS or has a chronic renal disease that requires constant maintenance or a kidney transplant. He may be able to pay for The Children's Health Insurance Program, which is for children of people with lower incomes or disabilities who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford to pay for health insurance for their children. You can call your local Medicaid office to learn more about it at 1-877-543-7669.

Danielle (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:04 Permalink

My ex-husband is on SSDI and has been for 5 years. My daughter gets SSDI benefits under her father in lieu of child support. I just received a letter in the mail that her father did not report worked hours making him ineligible for disability benefits for three years. They are telling me I owe them $20,000 back in overpayment. How is this my responsibility? I cannot control what my ex-husband does or how much or little he works. Why is it that I would have to pay that back? I was not fraudulent, nor was I aware any of this was happening. Please help, I do not have any where near that amount to be able to pay that back.

D (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:04 Permalink

Hi Danielle,
That is ridiculous. You can file an appeal with the SSA. That isn't in your control at all, and it is really an issue with Child Services anyway. I'm sure that once you explain the situation and show that you needed the child support anyway, you will not have to pay the overpayment. Try calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if you have any other options. Good luck.

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