Disability for Disabled Children

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Raising a child with a disability can be as expensive as it is challenging. Thankfully, the Social Security Administration provides disability benefits for children that can help your family cover care-related expenses and make ends meet.

If you need help navigating the disability benefits process, the skilled team at the National Disability Alliance is ready to help you secure the support your child deserves.

Why Work With National Disability Alliance

Our skilled team features former SSA professionals with specialized expertise in children’s disability cases and access to cutting-edge technology. We can assist you with properly completing your application and preparing your documents, giving you the best chance of quick success. We also provide ongoing support for continuing disability reviews and can handle all aspects of the appeals process if necessary.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations and don’t charge anything unless we successfully secure benefits for you. When your claim is approved, our fees will come from your past due Social Security benefits, so you won’t pay anything out of pocket.

How Disability Benefits for Children Work

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is the main program providing Social Security benefits for disabled children. SSI offers monthly payments of up to $967 in 2025. Those who qualify for SSI are also typically eligible for Medicaid coverage.

If your child qualifies for the program, they will continue to receive benefits until age 18. At that point, they can transition to adult benefits. Students aged 18 to 21 can also qualify as children for SSI disability benefits.

Eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is based on the applicant’s work history, meaning children generally do not qualify. However, disabled children can be eligible for auxiliary benefits if either of their parents receives SSDI.

Financial Requirements for Children’s SSI

SSI is a needs-based program that aids those with minimal income or resources. To qualify, a child cannot earn more than $2,020 monthly and must have less than $2,000 in assets.

For disabled children, the SSA determines eligibility by deeming a portion of their household family members’ income and resources as theirs. Deeming ends the month after a child turns 18, potentially allowing them to qualify for SSI if they could not previously due to their parents’ finances.

When calculating qualifying income, the SSA exempts the first $20 of all income, the first $65 of earned income, and half of all earnings above that. Some assistance benefits, like food stamps, are also exempt. Students under 22 can also exclude up to $2,350 of monthly income, up to a total of $9,450 in 2025, while still qualifying for SSI benefits.

Certain key assets are also exempt from the resource requirements, including the value of the home the child lives in and one vehicle used for transportation.

Medical Requirements for Children’s SSI

The SSA defines an eligible disability as one that causes “marked and severe functional limitation,” meaning it must seriously impact their ability to participate in daily activities like school, hobbies, or work. To qualify, the child’s disability must have either existed for 12 months, be expected to last at least a year, or be expected to be fatal.

The child must also meet the “substantial gainful activity” threshold, meaning they either do not work or earn less than $1,620 a month on their own. However, the Student Earned Income Exclusion could enable a child to perform gainful work while still having qualifying income beneath the limit. The substantial gainful activity threshold does not apply to blind SSI applicants.

Once a child begins receiving SSI benefits, the SSA may periodically conduct disability reviews to ensure they still meet the medical requirements and are receiving necessary treatments. For conditions that have the potential for improvement, disability reviews are typically held every three years for minors.

Qualifying Conditions and Documentation

Certain disabling conditions are eligible for up to six months of immediate SSI benefits while the child’s application is under review. If the SSA eventually denies the claim, recipients are not required to pay back the advance benefits. These conditions are:

Full blindness or deafness
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Severe intellectual disabilities in children aged four or older
Muscular dystrophy

Other conditions like autism spectrum disorders, severe ADHD, or serious medical problems like cancer or heart issues may also qualify for children’s disability benefits after a review.

The Application Process & How We Help

You can apply for SSI disability benefits for your child online, by calling 800-722-1213, or by visiting a local SSA office. As part of your application, you must complete a Child Disability Report with information about your child’s medical history.

Once the SSA receives your application, it will send it to your state’s Disability Determination Services office for further review. A decision may take six to eight months.

If your claim is denied, there is a multi-step appeals process. You can request a reconsideration determined by those not involved in the first decision, attend a hearing with an administrative law judge, or ask the Appeals Council to review the decision. Each step can add several months to the process.

Application errors, missing information, and mistakes concerning eligibility can all sink your bid for children’s disability benefits. Having experienced legal assistance from the National Disability Alliance can help you avoid common pitfalls and successfully navigate the application process, giving you the best chance of success on your initial application.

Our team can help you gather all necessary medical evidence, including statements from your child’s educators and health care providers. We’ll help you complete all your forms properly, help your child prepare for any requested examinations, and handle all aspects of the appeals process if necessary.

Contact National Disability Alliance Today

Our trusted team is backed by former SSA professionals with deep experience in helping families secure the Social Security disability benefits they deserve. We’re committed to making the process as quick, easy, and stress-free as possible for you and your child.

Call us today at 833-693-4722 to schedule a free consultation.