When you have a child with a disability in Wisconsin, you may sometimes wonder how you will handle the expense of providing the care your child needs. Sometimes you may be able to get Supplemental Security Income for your child.
In order for your child to qualify for SSI, he or she typically needs to meet certain disability requirements. According to the Social Security Administration, your child usually needs to have a condition that limits his or her daily activities and ability to care for himself or herself. Additionally, sometimes your child must have been affected by this condition for at least one year. This condition can either be mental or physical or it may be a mixture of a few different disorders.
There are several conditions that generally qualify for SSI. These include muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, as well as intellectual disabilities that affect children over the age of four. If your child is completely deaf or blind, he or she may also be able to receive SSI. If your child was born premature and weighed less than 2 pounds and 10 ounces at birth, he or she may also qualify for SSI.
Most of the time, you need to provide information about your child’s disability. You might need to send medical records to the SSA, and if your child attends school, you may need to submit school records as well. The SSA may also speak to medical professionals who regularly work with your child to ascertain the extent of your child’s condition. After your child successfully qualifies for SSI, the SSA may sometimes check back in with your family from time to time to see if your family still needs these payments. This is usually the case if your child’s condition might improve over time.
This information is intended to educate. It should not be used in place of legal advice.
