After finding out the news from your doctor or another medical source that your child has a developmental delay or growth problems, you might be wondering whether your child could qualify for disability benefits. Medical and other expenses related to caring for a child with developmental issues can add up. With the disability benefits program, sponsored by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you have the option to seek financial assistance. To learn more about how to apply for disability benefits, be sure to talk to a Pennsylvania disability lawyer.
The SSA has specific definitions of what counts as a childhood disability when it comes to their Blue Book listing on what disabilities are covered by disability benefits. A failure to thrive involves two main components, your child’s weight and the presence of a developmental delay. The weight requirements depend on your child’s age:
Figuring out these measurements can be difficult and may require the help of a medical professional. If you are unsure about whether your child matches the weight requirements, be sure to consult with a disability lawyer. There are two main types of developmental delays that could meet the second requirement for a failure to thrive:
Qualifying your child for disability benefits might be one of the hardest steps in the application process, followed by filling the application out itself. The steps for qualifying for disability benefits are straightforward, make sure your child meets all the requirements set by the SSA and make sure your child’s condition matches the SSA listing.
First, your child must have a mental or physical disability that hinders their ability to function in the same way as other children their age. This disability must also meet the specifications laid out in the Blue Book listing you are filing under. Your child must be under the age of 18 and their income must be under a certain amount that differs by each state. Lastly, your child’s disability must be expected to last a year.
Navigating through the tedious and complicated disability benefits application process is often stressful. Consider hiring a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance lawyer if you have encountered problems while filing for disability benefits. Call Edelstein & Nelson at 1-800-300-0909 today for a consultation. One of our disability insurance lawyers will guide you through the process and help you work through potential obstacles.