Children and even adult children are not always able to advocate for themselves. That leaves their guardians or parents to make decisions that are best for them and hope that they’re right. When it comes to medical care or living arrangements for children or young adults with severe injuries, it can seem stressful for any adult.
SSDI and SSI are not always exclusive to those who have put in years into the workforce. It also serves as an aid for children that require care so extensive that it may prevent an adult in the house from working.
Childhood and Early Adult Injuries From Medical Conditions
Most childhood medical conditions stem from an injury. Musculoskeletal problems often come from back injuries, while sense and speech issues can come from severe illness or even car accidents.
Medical conditions covered under either SSDI or SSI include:
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Sense and speech impairments
- Neurological disorders
- Mental disorders
- Immune system conditions including HIV/AIDS
- Congenital syndromes, disorders, or conditions
- And more
It’s likely that your child’s injury, which left them with a disability, will qualify for SSDI or SSI. However, you may need the guidance of an SSDI attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to learn whether your child’s injuries apply to SSDI or SSI. It’s not always so clear cut, and it may answer specific questions you have, such as whether your child is expected to work when they become an adult.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common injuries that cause children or adult children to become dependent on SSI, sometimes for life. TBI can come from any manner of accidents, but often they come from car accidents. One life-changing event can leave a child with TBI that they will never fully recover from, and it may impact their ability to live a normal adult life.
Traumatic Brain Injury is among the leading causes of disability in children, and it differs significantly from adult TBI. The damage from a TBI can often lead to death in young children, and for older children, it may result in restriction of mobility, inability to control specific body functions, loss of various senses or speech, and more.
What Does it Take for an Adult Child to Qualify for SSI?
The child must become disabled prior to their 22nd birthday, and it does not matter if they’ve worked previously or not. Additionally, they cannot be married. Finally, the biggest factor is that their parent or guardian must have a work history that qualifies them for disability. When it comes to SSDI, this is the largest factor in that they must show they’ve had substantial gainful activity in their work history.
For SSI, there are a number of other elements, including resources available in terms of family assets and income. Any income from SSI paid to the parents of the child would likely be paid, “in-kind,” meaning that it would be within significant restrictions to only cover food and other basic needs such as medical care not covered through insurance. Basically, no one should be profiting off of caring for their disabled child.
Do Children Actually Benefit from SSI?
There are a number of children that are on SSI for injuries or medical conditions that may make it so that they can never work. In 2013 about 428,208 children were receiving SSI benefits. That means that they went through all non-medical and medical requirements to benefit. However, these applications are often exceptionally difficult because the applicant is not applying for themselves.
When applying for SSI for a child, it’s critical that you involve an attorney. An SSI attorney will help you explain how the injuries happened and whether or not the child will qualify for long-term disability. Children are often unable to receive benefits for any type of short-term disability.
Speak with an SSI Attorney in Milwaukee About Childhood or Early Adult Injuries
Working with an SSI attorney can help make the application process easier and possibly move faster. You will likely save time by simply avoiding common mistakes, such as submitting an incomplete or unintentionally inaccurate application. The attorneys at Tabak Law will help you from the application process and follow your claim all the way through any necessary appeals.
Tabak Law has a long history of serving the disabled community within Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to provide a valuable resource that will make a difference in SSI and SSDI claims so that applicants receive the benefits they need and deserve. Call today to schedule a consultation with Tabak Law today.