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As we have discussed, your child's first government benefit will likely be Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This article will explain the process of applying for SSI.
As discussed in a previous chapter, in 2022, Social Security denied initial claims (not including appeals) for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance 62 percent of the time. In other words, slightly more than one in three individuals applying for disability benefits were awarded benefits on their first try.
Note: Social Security calls individuals claiming to be disabled claimants.
The high denial is likely for two reasons:
You first must decide whether to hire a Social Security attorney or a non-lawyer benefits advocate to help your child apply for benefits. Given the high denial rate, I usually recommend parents get help from a professional. The Social Security attorney or benefit’s advocate understands how to package the application according to Social Security's criteria. Getting these benefits is an investment in your child's financial security.
The nature of your child’s disability may also factor into whether you want to hire an attorney or benefits advocate to help your child apply for benefits. For example, suppose the adult child does not even have the intellectual capacity to take an IQ test and entirely depends on others for personal needs such as toileting, eating, dressing, and bathing. In that case, it’s pretty clear the person will be considered disabled according to Social Security’s definition of disability under their intellectual disorder requirements.
On the other hand, for example, if your child is on the autism spectrum, you may be much more likely to hire a Social Security attorney or benefits advocate. After all, since the nature of autism is on a spectrum, some people with autism can engage in substantial gainful activity, and others cannot. And if you think about it, most disabilities are on a spectrum. Some people with the disability can engage in SGA, and others cannot.
Before applying, you must assemble the information Social Security will ask you to provide. Here is advice from Social Security:
______________________________________________________________________________
The most time-consuming part of applying is gathering all the information before you apply. Again, here is Social Security's outline of what documents you may need when your child applies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for another. The lists are not all-inclusive. We will tell you what you need and what other documents are acceptable. We may be able to help you get them if you are having trouble.
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER
You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits.
PROOF OF AGE
CITIZENSHIP OR ALIEN STATUS RECORD
If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:
If you are an alien, examples of documents you may need are:
PROOF OF INCOME
If you have income, you may need to provide the following:
PROOF OF RESOURCES
PROOF OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
MEDICAL SOURCES (IF YOU ARE FILING AS BLIND OR DISABLED)
WORK HISTORY
OTHER SOURCES
If you are applying as a disabled child, or on behalf of a disabled child, we need the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (for example, teachers or caregivers) who can provide information about how the child's medical condition affects his or her daily activities. Also, if the child has an individualized education plan (IEP) at his or her school, it is helpful to submit a copy of the plan.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
I recommend you go online to the Social Security website: SSA.gov. Right in the top middle section of their homepage, it says in large black letters, “Apply.” Immediately below the word “Apply” is a link called “Apply for Benefits.” Hit that link.
You are directed to a page called “Apply for Social Security Benefits.” On that page, it asks, “Who do you want to apply for?” You want to check “An adult. Age 18 or over.” On the same page, at the button, you want to check “Supplemental Security Income for Disability.” Then click on the “Learn how to apply” button at the bottom of the page.
You will be directed to a new page called “Apply for Social Security Benefits.” This page (see below) will explain your options:
______________________________________________________________________________
Get Started to Apply for SSI
This process takes about 5-10 minutes. We ask for basic information. After you complete the online process, a Social Security representative schedules an appointment to help you apply for benefits.
Other Ways to Apply
Set up an appointment
Available in most U.S. time zones Monday – Frida, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. in English and other languages
Call +1 800-772-1213
Tell the agent you want to set up an appointment to apply for benefits. They'll schedule it and determine whether it'll be on the phone or in person.
Call TTY +1 800-325-0778 if you're deaf or hard of hearing.
After you submit an application
We'll send your application to a Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state. They take 3 – 6 months to review your application and medical records. After their review, you'll get a letter in the mail with the decision. If you're approved, we'll check the financial documents you provided with your application. Then, you'll get another letter in the mail that says how much money you'll receive every month.
Check the status to see where you are in the application process.
As we have discussed, your child's first government benefit will likely be Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This article will explain the process of applying for SSI.
As discussed in a previous chapter, in 2022, Social Security denied initial claims (not including appeals) for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance 62 percent of the time. In other words, slightly more than one in three individuals applying for disability benefits were awarded benefits on their first try.
Note: Social Security calls individuals claiming to be disabled claimants.
The high denial is likely for two reasons:
- The individual’s earnings or resources are too high; or
- The individual needs to provide better current medical evidence. As discussed in a previous chapter, medical evidence of disability is often lacking because the individual's doctor is unaware of Social Security's disability medical criteria. And therefore, the individual’s medical record does not prove disability.
You first must decide whether to hire a Social Security attorney or a non-lawyer benefits advocate to help your child apply for benefits. Given the high denial rate, I usually recommend parents get help from a professional. The Social Security attorney or benefit’s advocate understands how to package the application according to Social Security's criteria. Getting these benefits is an investment in your child's financial security.
The nature of your child’s disability may also factor into whether you want to hire an attorney or benefits advocate to help your child apply for benefits. For example, suppose the adult child does not even have the intellectual capacity to take an IQ test and entirely depends on others for personal needs such as toileting, eating, dressing, and bathing. In that case, it’s pretty clear the person will be considered disabled according to Social Security’s definition of disability under their intellectual disorder requirements.
On the other hand, for example, if your child is on the autism spectrum, you may be much more likely to hire a Social Security attorney or benefits advocate. After all, since the nature of autism is on a spectrum, some people with autism can engage in substantial gainful activity, and others cannot. And if you think about it, most disabilities are on a spectrum. Some people with the disability can engage in SGA, and others cannot.
Before applying, you must assemble the information Social Security will ask you to provide. Here is advice from Social Security:
______________________________________________________________________________
The most time-consuming part of applying is gathering all the information before you apply. Again, here is Social Security's outline of what documents you may need when your child applies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for another. The lists are not all-inclusive. We will tell you what you need and what other documents are acceptable. We may be able to help you get them if you are having trouble.
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER
You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits.
PROOF OF AGE
- a public birth record recorded before age 5; or
- a religious birth record recorded before age 5; or
- other documents showing your age or date of birth.
CITIZENSHIP OR ALIEN STATUS RECORD
If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:
- birth certificate showing you were born in the United States; or
- religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the United States; or
- naturalization certificate; or U.S. passport or passport card; or certificate of citizenship.
If you are an alien, examples of documents you may need are:
- a current immigration document; for example, an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card); or I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
- If you are an alien who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may need your military discharge paper (form DD-214).
PROOF OF INCOME
If you have income, you may need to provide the following:
- earned Income payroll stubs, or if self-employed, a tax return for the last tax year;
- unearned Income any records you have (for example, award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment; and
- work Expenses see information under SSI WORK INCENTIVES for more information
PROOF OF RESOURCES
- bank statements for all checking and savings accounts;
- deed or tax appraisal statement for all property you own besides the house you live in; life or disability insurance policies;
- burial contracts, burial plots, etc.;
- certificates of deposit, stocks, mutual funds, or bonds;
- titles or registrations for vehicles like cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, campers, etc.
PROOF OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
- lease or rent receipt;
- names, dates of births, medical assistance cards or Social Security numbers for all household members;
- deed or property tax bill; and
- information about household costs for rent, mortgage, food, and utilities.
MEDICAL SOURCES (IF YOU ARE FILING AS BLIND OR DISABLED)
- medical reports, if you have them;
- names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and other providers of medical services to you and the approximate dates you were treated;
- names of the prescription and non-prescription medications that you take.
WORK HISTORY
- job titles;
- type of business;
- names of employers;
- dates worked;
- hours worked per day and hours worked per week;
- days worked per week, and rates of pay for work you did in the 15 years before you became unable to work because of your illnesses, injuries, or conditions; and
- description of job duties for the type of work you performed.
OTHER SOURCES
If you are applying as a disabled child, or on behalf of a disabled child, we need the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (for example, teachers or caregivers) who can provide information about how the child's medical condition affects his or her daily activities. Also, if the child has an individualized education plan (IEP) at his or her school, it is helpful to submit a copy of the plan.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Do not wait to apply. If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you should contact us right away. The earliest we will pay SSI is the month after the filing date of your application, or the month after you first meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later. We may use the date you contact us as the filing date. If you do not have all of the things we need, we will give you time to provide them.
- We need to see the original documents. If you do not have an original document, we can accept a certified copy from the office that issued the original document. We do not accept photocopies. We will return the original documents to you.
- Try to keep a copy of things you send us. Keep track of the dates you send information to us, or talk to us, as well as the name of the Social Security employee with whom you spoke.
I recommend you go online to the Social Security website: SSA.gov. Right in the top middle section of their homepage, it says in large black letters, “Apply.” Immediately below the word “Apply” is a link called “Apply for Benefits.” Hit that link.
You are directed to a page called “Apply for Social Security Benefits.” On that page, it asks, “Who do you want to apply for?” You want to check “An adult. Age 18 or over.” On the same page, at the button, you want to check “Supplemental Security Income for Disability.” Then click on the “Learn how to apply” button at the bottom of the page.
You will be directed to a new page called “Apply for Social Security Benefits.” This page (see below) will explain your options:
______________________________________________________________________________
Get Started to Apply for SSI
This process takes about 5-10 minutes. We ask for basic information. After you complete the online process, a Social Security representative schedules an appointment to help you apply for benefits.
Other Ways to Apply
Set up an appointment
Available in most U.S. time zones Monday – Frida, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. in English and other languages
Call +1 800-772-1213
Tell the agent you want to set up an appointment to apply for benefits. They'll schedule it and determine whether it'll be on the phone or in person.
Call TTY +1 800-325-0778 if you're deaf or hard of hearing.
After you submit an application
We'll send your application to a Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state. They take 3 – 6 months to review your application and medical records. After their review, you'll get a letter in the mail with the decision. If you're approved, we'll check the financial documents you provided with your application. Then, you'll get another letter in the mail that says how much money you'll receive every month.
Check the status to see where you are in the application process.