Once you recieve your child's diagnosis, you can apply for disability benefits. As difficult as it may be to accept, your child does have a disability, and that opens doors to resources that can help you get the services your child needs. The world of special needs can be costly, and there is nothing wrong with getting assistance for those treatments. According to the Social Security Administrations website:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):
It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income, and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Even if you don't think you qualify for SSI for income reasons, applying for SSI is how you begin the application for disability benefits for your child. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for SSI online, so you will need to call your local Social Security office to schedule an appointment. However, you can fill out the Child Disability Report online. This will save you time at your appointment and allow you to work on this report at your own pace.
It was a long journey applying for SSI for our son but worth it. First, we did not know that he qualified for SSI or any other government assistance. It was not until our insurance company denied coverage for ABA that we began searching for a way to cover the cost of ABA. Luckily, we had filed all of his medical bills and records in a large binder. With the help of a family member who retired from medical records and hospital administration, we were able to get through the process in four months. Thats actually fast so the sooner you begin the process, the sooner you can recieve those benefits for your child.
Your child is not required to attend the appointment. In most states, a child that recieves SSI benefits can get Medicaid, which helps with medical bills. SSI is a federal program, while Medicaid is managed by individual states. Each state is different, and even a child that is not eligible for SSI may still be eligible for Medicaid.
NEXT STEPS
Gather all your child's medical records and bills (check out our tips on organizing bills and medical records in an upcoming post)
Call your local social security office and schedule an appointment
Fill out the Child Disability Report online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/apply-child.html
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