Disability For Down Syndrome Children And Adults

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit that is provided by the federal government for children under the age of 18 years old who meet the qualifications for disability and for disabled people over the age of 18 years old who still depend on others for their care. SSI makes monthly payments to people with limited income who are over the age of 65, blind or disabled. For the Down syndrome child to qualify, he or she must have limited income, resources, and meet the definition for disabled by the federal government.

Along with the income and resources of the child, the income and resources of the parents or caregivers are investigated as well. If the child is in medical facility where health insurance pays the cost, the payments from SSI are limited. To qualify for SSI the child's condition must result in "marked and severe functional limitations". It is important to let the SSI administration be the ones to determine if you child qualifies. What might not seem like enough of impairment to a parent may be quite severe to someone else.

The application process can be lengthy and tedious but is worth the process once the child is approved. Initially, the parents will fill out application paperwork for their child and provide income and resource information. The parents will also have to provide medical information along with names and contact information for all of the child's doctors, therapists and other medical providers. SSI administration will look over all of the medical information and will more than likely request medical information from the child's medical caregivers. If these documents are not conclusive enough they may suggest that, the parent takes the child to a doctor specified by the SSI administration. In the case of Down syndrome, it is usually pretty cut and dried but still may be a necessary hoop to jump through.

In the case of Down syndrome, the federal government has determined that the child will be eligible for SSI immediately and will receive monthly payments throughout the application process. If the determination committee should determine that the child is not disabled enough to receive SSI, the parent will not be responsible to return money already paid to them but will not be receiving subsequent checks.

If the child is determined to qualify for SSI, there will periodically be checks on the child's condition. For children with Down syndrome these checks are typically every 3 years. The parents will need to provide proof that the child is still under the care of a doctor and that they are following doctors orders for any medical conditions associated with the Down syndrome.

Once the child turns 18 year of age, he or she is considered an adult by the SSI administration. The child will then be investigated by the administration to determine if he or she continues to qualify for SSI. The rules will change to include only the child's income and resources and not those of the parents. The child will also need to meet the qualifications for disability according to the guidelines for adults. In the case of Down syndrome this is usually not a difficulty.

Recommended Reading

1. Your Baby And Down Syndrome - Having a baby born with Down Syndrome has got to be one of the most stressful times any parent can...
2. Down Syndrome Frequently Asked Questions - When a parent is given the diagnosis of Down syndrome for their baby whether he or she is already born...
3. Answers To Your Questions About Down Syndrome - Down Syndrome is three dimensional it has a physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Each case can be a wide range...
4. Intervention For Down Syndrome - It is extremely important that intervention be started immediately upon the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Intervention can take the form...
5. Positive Characteristics In People With Down Syndrome - In a recent survey of parents who have children with Down syndrome, they reported that when they were notified of...