Has anyone gotten Social Security Benefits for their child(ren)?

Natalie - posted on 07/19/2010

Thanks Kerianne I will keep that in mind.

Kerianne - posted on 07/19/2010

I do. My son is 10 years old now. I applied when he was 6 years old. I went through social security office and applied. It took like 5 months to get accepted, but when they did finally accept it I had to get a savings account and checking account. The savings acct was for the months I waited, so basically like back pay for the months I waited. Then the checking acct was for future payments being direct deposits. Any more questions I can help!! I'm from Illinois

Natalie - posted on 07/19/2010

Ladies I just wanted to say thank you all for all of the helpful replies. I will definitely take all of your advice. Amy J. the advantage to having SSI for my son is as Carol points out to help with daily life expenses and it will also help me to put some money away for him for his future. I don't know what services, medication, or therapies he may need when he gets older and is no longer eligible for services through school. My husband and I don't make that much money annually and have 3 other children to take care of (one of whom I suspect has mental health issues due to lead poisoning). Not only that we don't have medical insurance through either his or my works. Having the medical benefits alone would be the biggest help of all. Also sorry I am just now responding to your replies. I was in PA on a family emergency last week and have not been on the computer for that long.

Erika - posted on 07/18/2010

Desire...wow I am surprised at your sons diagnosis. My son has PDD-NOS also. Diagnosed at age 2 1/2 along with some sensory issues for sure. I also applied for disability, not for the money but for the medical benefits. With these benefits he was able to obtain early intervention and is currently in a regular classroom with minimal modifications on IEP.
Natalie I say definitely apply as long as you have good documentation on your child's services (diagnosis, services received from therapists, case managers, early interventionist, or therapists) will determine how fast or slow your child will be awarded. Also for anyone with a child on the spectrum or with any sensory diagnosis the IAN Kennedy Krieger Institute has a phlethora of information on current studies and also resources for children. Good luck!!
Erika

Teressa - posted on 07/17/2010

My son has Asperger Syndrome and I just recently filled out the paper work for SSI in May of this year and we are already approved there is alot of info you need but it is worth the time and energy.

Amber - posted on 07/17/2010

I applied for my son in late January and his first check came in April. It was a lot of paperwork but well worth it my son's father has not paid a penny in child support in 6 months so it is helping off set the costs.

Desire - posted on 07/16/2010

ALso Depending on your state your only allowed so much value in personal property. But he also has permanent disability, which means he gets full medicaid benefits the rest of his life. In todays healthcare, since I am no longer working 45-50 hrs a week It is great not worring if all his medications and doctors visits and tests will be paid for...It all helps...Especially being a single mom, with no help from his father in 6 yrs...

Desire - posted on 07/16/2010

Natalie I filed For SSI For my Son in 2006 when he was approved. At that time he was only 6 yrs old. But with 3 hospitalizations, and 3 different Evaluations done in 2 yrs time. And a 504 in place at school working on an IEP...It was apporoved within 1 week of Filing. I received a phone call telling me he wa being approved and to expect to receive a check and a letter within 4-6 weeks. I was shocked. I had always heard they turn you down the first 3 times you file. Not us. There was so much documentation, Hospital reports Psychiatrist reports...And at that time he was diagnosed with Severe ADHD and Bi-polar...Not now where he has soo many more things Like ASD-PDD/NOS...I would say YES Definatley apply...what's the worst that could happen...say no...It couldn't hurt at all...My son is getting the max amount allowed...It is considered a Supplemetal income, and based on wat you make. Currently I am not working due to soo many appointments we have every day...mon-fri he has an appointment withatherepist of some kind. Psychiatry, OT,Integrated Brain Therepy,family Therapy, Intensive Home Therepy...ohh its a lot...Hope this helps...

Shasta - posted on 07/16/2010

my son was 2lbs when he was born so i got a ssi check on him and now that he is 7 i actually got him taken off of the ssi and the medical coverage because when i was trying to get him into a specialist for adhd and aspergers no one would take him when i told them his second insurance was the medicaid. they would take his primary insurance but couldnt see him cuz of the other so i had him taken off...i didnt get ne money since i make to much but just be aware and maybe check around and make sure u can get a dr to see ur child and fyi it was harder to get him off of the ssi than it was to get him on it!!!

Heather - posted on 07/16/2010

The medical coverage is great...and it is automatic when they get Social Security...but you can get by just applying for medical assistance. Autism Spectrum is a dx that is nearly 100% approved for medical assistance since many of the programs that assist our kiddos (like wraparound programming) won't except other insurances. MA for my son and daughter is the only program that I won't loose when our income increases due to marrying.

Carol - posted on 07/16/2010

We get SSDI for our grandson. He has been getting for many years. His mother applied and got it when he was very young. When we got custody of him we had to re-submit based on our income. Even though the check was greatly reduced he still receives a check. The question was asked about what is the advantage? The most important advantage to me is not the monthly check but the medical coverage. We don't have medical insurance and could never afford to pay for all the doctor visits and medications if he didn't have medical coverage.
Neither of his parents pay child support so the monthly check helps for things like clothing. One of the meds he used to be on caused him to grow at a very rapid rate and I was replacing his entire wardrobe about every 4 months! His feet are still growing at a very rapid rate and although he is only 10 he now wears a man's size 7 shoe which cost a lot more than children sizes. The money also helps us afford all the theraputic things that are not covered under the medical coverage.
The process is long and you may even have to hire an attorney to get benefits. There are many attorneys who specialize in this area but as a rule you have to be turned down 3 times before they will intervene.

Heather - posted on 07/16/2010

I recieve Social Security for my Asperger's son and we live in PA. Know before you apply that even if approved, the amount is greatly based on what you already have coming in. I am a single mom (engaged, but still single), and I don't work outside of the home because of my children's needs. I recieve less than $300 a month in child support for my son...and that is deducted from what SS will give him. It was a long process for him to get it, but well worth it for the past 5 years or so. We are poor, that is undeniable...but I have been able to stay home with him and his sisters with his Social Security and some child support. He will loose all of his Social Security benefits when I marry in November and then I don't know what I am going to do. I have often needed to rush to his school to be with him or help calm him (or his little sister who also has an Aspie dx), and he doesn't do well if I am not available to him while at home due to horrible seperation anxiety (although we have been working on that for a LONG time, something happened to him in childcare 7 years ago...and he still doesn't do well in the care of others) .

Wendy - posted on 07/16/2010

My youngest son was just approved and got his first check this month. I applied the end of Oct and finally had his decision the end of May. In addition to the monthly checks they also recieve medicaid which pays pretty much all medical and presciption cost.

Amy - posted on 07/16/2010

I have a son diagnosed with PDD-NOS but I've never considered applying for benefits...can I be blunt and ask what is the advantage? Thanks!

Letitia - posted on 07/14/2010

I'm applying for my son too (pdd nos, ADHD) and this was helpful too. Thanks!

Kayla - posted on 07/14/2010

we recieve SSI at the begining of every month. How ever much you recieve depends on how much you make in a month. All we had to do was go on the website and print out an application, I filled it out and sent it in and then they called me to make an appointment.

Bobbie - posted on 07/14/2010

my niece has it on her son. helps with medical and travel.

Jessica - posted on 07/13/2010

I have applied for my boys. I did in April and am still waiting to hear from them. Last week I did get a form to fill out about their seizures. There is a ton of information on SSI on the SS website but you can not apply for SSI online for children. I looked up what I would need online and really they didnt take half of my information I had with me. They want to get it themselves. Its a pretty easy process as long as you have names and numbers for everyone they need to get a hold of.

Christina - posted on 07/11/2010

I starting receiving benefits for my son a couple of years ago. I you have any questions I would be happy to try to help. I'm in the US, in Mass.

Natalie - posted on 07/09/2010

Thanks ladies. Angel I will definitely check out the SSI website. Lynn I wish I was in the UK. I did a report on global health care for a class and wow! I had no idea that most European countries have automatic health care for their citizens. I would love that. Tammy I am in the US, but I appreciate your input. Thank you.

Tammy - posted on 07/09/2010

what country are you in im in Australia and the process is to fill out a carers allowance/payment form (there are two types of payments available you get approved for one or the other) attach a Doctors report and whatever else they ask and then take it to centrelink and they will assess it......

Lynn - posted on 07/09/2010

I'm in UK,so we have a good system here.My 13 year old has Asperger's and I recieve £190 a week in disability benefits for him,which will continue for rest of his life.All I have to do is put in paperwork every 3 years to prove what medication he is on and reports from his doctor.It helps with special diets,extra classes or hobbies he has.

Angel - posted on 07/09/2010

You can go to their website and they have alot of information on what meets their requirements. Also you can apply online too.