Legal Advice About SSI or SSDI Child Benefits Claims
Under certain circumstances, children under 18 are eligible for disability payments under either the Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. To learn how you or your child can qualify for benefits under either program, contact a New Jersey children's disability claims attorney at Purrazzella & Purrazzella, P.A., in Toms River.
With more than 30 years of experience on behalf of clients whose physical or mental impairments disable them from working, our law firm is familiar with the full range of benefits programs available for children and young people. Our lawyers know what the applicant needs to prove in order to qualify, and we know how to overcome bureaucratic obstacles to prompt and evenhanded administration of claims.
Toms River Child Disability Benefits Lawyers: Call 888-825-9980
Children of any age can qualify for SSI benefits. The eligibility requirements involve medical proof of a "marked and severe functional limitation" that has lasted or will last for at least 12 months before the child turns 18. The child's family must also qualify under an income-based means test. Examples of the kinds of impairments that will usually meet the SSI eligibility standards include Down syndrome, blindness, certain congenital conditions, severe and continuing learning or behavioral disabilities, and developmental disabilities.
Under the SSDI program, childhood disability benefits are based on physical or mental impairments that are supported by medical evidence, and that often begin at an age long before the applicant is actually eligible to collect them. SSDI child benefits are paid to people who are at least 18 and whose disability began before age 22. Eligibility is also based on the payroll record of a disabled, retired or deceased parent.
The best time to consult with an experienced attorney for help with a childhood SSI claim is whenever you become aware of a severe physical or mental challenge that will likely continue for years or for the child's lifetime. Children of any age can collect SSI benefits. For SSDI childhood disability benefits, the last year of high school when the child is age 17 is a good time to begin considering a benefits claim that can be approved for payment after their 18th birthday.
For additional information about our experience with childhood disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration, contact Purrazzella & Purrazzella in Toms River for a free consultation.
