The evaluation is based on a listing of impairments, rather than on a child’s ability to work.
The world of Social Security disability benefits can be confusing. For adults, the process can be difficult and stressful, as initial applications (particularly those filed without the assistance of a Social Security Disability benefits attorney) are often denied, and many people have to go through the appeals process. For adult applicants, the Social Security Administration (SSA) focuses not only on a person’s disability, but on how that disability impacts his or her ability to perform meaningful work. But when the applicant is a child, how does the SSA make a decision about benefits?
Because most children do not work, the SSA does not evaluate a child’s ability to work in determining his or her eligibility for benefits. Instead, the SSA first looks to its Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments is a guideline that sets forth criteria for evaluating specific impairments to determine if they meet the definition of a disability, per the SSA. While some children meet these guidelines and receive what is known as Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits, many others do not. In those situations, the SSA will take a more in-depth look at the claim to determine whether a child meets its criteria for having a disability.
Out of six domains, listed below, a child must have “marked” limitations in two domains or have “extreme” limitations in one domain to be considered disabled by the SSA. These domains are:
- Acquiring and Using Information
- Attending and Completing Tasks
- Interacting and Relating with Others
- Moving About and Manipulating Objects
- Caring for Yourself
- Health and Physical Well-Being
These domains can describe either mental and physical impairments, or may describe both. The titles for each domain are broadly written. A skilled Social Security Disability benefits attorney can work with a parent to help decide how a particular child’s limitations may fit into a particular domain. For example, if a child has a mental health diagnosis such as depression, he may be unable to care for himself as a result, and may also have difficulty relating to peers. Having a knowledgable Social Security Disability benefits attorney can help make the difference in ensuring that your child’s specific medical issues are properly described to maximize his or her chances of obtaining SSI benefits.
In addition, providing a treatment record to the SSA can demonstrate the severity of your child’s medical conditions. If the symptoms of his or her condition have been well-documented over a period of time, that will help to prove that your child is limited in a specific way. If a treating doctor or mental health professional is able to give an opinion as to how these symptoms or a medical condition is related to a specific domain, this can also be helpful in convincing the SSA that your child has a disability and is entitled to SSI benefits.
If your child suffers from a disability, he or she may qualify for benefits. An experienced Social Security Disability benefits attorney can work with you to help you apply for SSI on behalf of your child, putting together a comprehensive application to demonstrate that your child either has a listed impairment, or that he or she meets the SSA’s definition of disabled.
At PLBH, we have more than 50 years of experience helping people obtain disability benefits and other forms of compensation. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you.