Social Security Disability For Children

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Suja Varghese

Social Security Children’s Benefits

Some of our clients call us because they need some help with their children who are disabled. I noticed a pattern in the questions, and decided to post a small blog of frequently asked questions as they relate to children’s social security disability benefits.

What type of benefits are available for disabled children?

                Some children who are either born with or develop medical conditions may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

We already know that people who have worked can usually be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or if not, possibly Supplemental Security Income (SSI). So, what type of benefits could a disabled child be eligible for?

 

Disabled children may apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It is the same program used for adults who either never have worked, or have not worked in a long time. A child under 18 can qualify for SSI if he/she meets Social Security’s definition of disability for children, AND, if his/her income and resources fall within the eligibility limits. The federally permitted SSI amount paid monthly is $674.00 for 2009, but it may vary depending on where you live. The amount of the SSI payment is different from one state to another because some states add to the SSI payment. Your local Social Security Office can tell you more about your state’s total SSI payment. Click here to see the local office SSI calculation.

 

 

 

 

To learn more about our social security lawyers please read about Dory Sutker, or Suja Varghese.

 

 

When is the earliest date that SSI can be paid?

 

The earliest date that SSI can be paid is the date that the application was filed, however, if the child’s impairment or combination of impairments didn’t reach the severity level as determined by Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations, the claim may be granted well after the date of the application.

What happens if the SSI claim is paid from a date other than the application date?

 

If the SSI claim is paid from a date other than the application date, you may appeal the time period that hasn’t been awarded, but if you do so, the review will be “de novo”, which means that the entire claim can be reversed and you will be forced to pay SSA back for the money they have already paid, if any.

If your child is receiving medical treatment for a condition that is not expected to resolve in twelve (12) months, we encourage you to apply for benefits immediately.

For example, a woman contacted us about her eight year old child, who had been receiving treatment for a combination of physical and mental conditions. The mother described the problems she had had with her son's behavior, both in school and at home, and it sounded rather severe. These problems had persisted despite appropriate medical treatment. So after a few years of dealing with her son's impairments, she finally decided to file for benefits.

Wouldn't you know it, the medical records describing her son's symptoms showed that although he had experienced problems that SSA would find disabling and grant benefits for, the medical records of the current time period --- from the date of the application --- showed that his symptoms had become more manageable, for whatever reason.

Ultimately, his claim was denied.

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with medical condition(s) that limit or prevent them from behaving either physically or mentally like other children of their age, you may want to consider discussing with their treating physician whether these symptoms will last for the next twelve months. If the physician says yes, then you should file a claim for SSI on your child's behalf. If your child's symptoms getting better while the claim is pending, then you can decide to withdraw the application.

As always, we atGreenberg & Bederman are available to answer an questions you may have regarding this or any other Social Security or personal injury question, including medical malpractice issues involving nursing home abuse or neglect, and accident injury cases.  If you want to learn more about social security law, please read our social security disability FAQ page.  If you want to learn more about our social security disability lawyers, please read about Suja Varghese, or Dory Sutker.
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Social Security Vs Veterans Benefits

Posted on May 29, 2008 by Dory Sutker

Expediting Veteran's Disability Claims
Recognizing their service to the country, the social security administration has instituted procedures for expediting claims of disabled military personnel. The benefits available from Social Security are different from those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

The expedited process is used for military personnel who become disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.

Persons may apply for disability benefits at any time while in military status or after discharge, whether they are still hospitalized, in a rehabilitation program, or undergoing out-patient treatment. Active duty status and receipt of military pay does not necessarily prevent payment of disability benefits.

If you believe you qualify, you should apply as soon as possible. You may apply online at VA_BENEFITS , in person at your local office, or by telephoning 1-800-772-1213. If you are hard of hearing or deaf, the TTY number is 1-800-325-0778.

For further information please see the SSA Website.

To learn more about Social Security Disability issues please see our website and click on Social Security disability lawyer at G&B Website/social-security

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Economic Stimulus Tax Benefits

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Dory Sutker
The very word “taxes” sends shivers down my spine. Not just because I don’t like paying them but also because I am afraid of that area of law. While in law school, I swore to my income tax professor that I would never give advice or do a tax return if he just gave me a passing grade. He refused to make that deal with me but, to this day, I never give tax advice or do my own tax return. That said, I am now going to talk about the economic stimulus package which touches on the subject of taxes.

As most of you know, on February 13, 2008, the President signed into law legislation providing “rebates” to millions of people. This includes millions of Social Security recipients. All Title II (SSDI, DIB) beneficiaries who meet the rebate eligibility criteria will receive the rebate. Rebates will be paid under two options:

Questions about Stimilus Options

1) Based on income tax paid in 2007 or
2) Based on $3000 of “qualifying income”. All types of Title II benefits will count as “qualifying income. However, a beneficiary who is claimed as a dependent on another’s tax return is not eligible for a rebate.  Irs Website for Esconomic Stimulus

SSI benefits do not count as “qualifying income.” However, the legislation does provide that rebates will be disregarded as income for needs-based federal programs such as SSI and/or for State or local programs partly funded with federal funds (e.g., Medicaid). Importantly, the rebate will not be considered a resource for the month in which it was received and the following two months.

In order to receive a rebate, beneficiaries will have to file a 2007 federal tax return. So, if you haven’t filed yet, you need to get to it.

More information is available from the Social Security Administration website SSA Website
Information about the rebate is under “news” on the left side of the SSA homepage.

To learn more about social security disability law issues please click social security disability law. To learn about our social security disability lawyer in Maryland, please click social security disability lawyers and go to our attorney bio section on Dory Sutker or Suja Varghese
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