https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:52:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753391 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:19:44 +0000 anonysquire 2753391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for weighing in! I will for sure contact a attorney to see if they can help but it sounds like we wouldn't qualify. And as far as Rockys "disability", he does have a lot of appts and works with therapists but so far insurance has covered most of it. I guess it's hard to know what your babies abilities will be when they are adults but he seems fine now! Which I know doesn't mean anything haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753325 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:58:45 +0000 MrsADS 2753325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FYI keep in mind there are 2 types of Social Security disability: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); the latter is what most people imagine when they think of "Social Security Disability."</p> <p>SSI is subject to the financial requirements; SSDI is not. Disabled children are ONLY ELIGIBLE for SSI unless they have a parent who is disabled and getting SSDI benefits themselves. That means if you do not meet the financial requirements for SSI for your child, you are not eligible for any benefits regardless of how disabled your child is. That is because SSI for children and adults is a means-based program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753323 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:56:53 +0000 MrsADS 2753323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok. I am an attorney and this is not legal advice for your specific situation, just general info. I would advise you to speak with a Social Security disability attorney - NOT a social worker or anyone like that. </p> <p>Disabled children are eligible for SSI benefits which is a type of Social Security disability IF they meet certain requirements. Your family income must be low. The child must meet the disability requirements (which is not a given). The financial aspect is complicated. Family income is basically imputed to the child, so depending on you and your spouse's wages, it is possible you may not qualify at all. You may qualify because you basically get "offsets" for other children - that is, they count less of your income because you are caring for other children in the household.</p> <p>There are other financial limitations too, for example, you cannot have more than $3,000 in assets (money in the bank) and they also count extra land, cars, etc. except for the home you live in and the car you drive. </p> <p>So let's say you qualify financially and based on the disability requirements. If anyone is working in the household, the amount of SSI the child gets will depend on the parent's work income. This can get complex if the parent's income fluctuates because you can end up getting paid too much one month, then have to pay it back. You have to report all pay checks to Social Security. If you end up going over the asset limit and do not report it timely, you will end up getting paid too much and have to pay it back. Social Security will set up a payment plan with you if you get paid too much, however. I.e. if your child gets $700/month they will take out $30 to pay it back.</p> <p>The max amount a child gets monthly is $735 but may be less depending on parental income. </p> <p>Keep in mind they will periodically review your child's condition to see if he has improved and if so, may let you know they are stopping his benefits (you can appeal this decision).</p> <p>It is a lot of loopholes and hassle. However, for many families with disabled children who are low to moderate income, the money is a lifesaver. Often one parent may only be able to work part time or not work at all because of the disabled child and this money helps make ends meet. The money is for food and shelter for the child, not just medical stuff, so it is to be used for paying living expenses. That is okay.</p> <p>Some of the posters have mentioned about the long-term prospects, i.e. once the child is an adult. Children's SSI benefits stop at age 18 (the stop can be challenged if the child is still disabled). So, the child basically has to re-qualify at age 18. Getting benefits now doesn't mean the child will have them forever. You will have to continue to prove to Social Security that the child is disabled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753320 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:45:17 +0000 Cole 2753320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: ah, that makes sense. My family met with someone at the children's hospital but it's one of the biggest in the world so they may have had more resources than the average place. I also don't know how knowledgeable they were some ultimately they decided it wasn't the right choice at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753319 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:44:59 +0000 avivoca 2753319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: Oh my gosh, R is so cute!!!!</p> <p>My FIL receives SSI payments because he has black lung and lost part of the use of his hand mining and is unable to work. It's been very helpful for him and my MIL and helps to cover his care due to the black lung (things like oxygen, medications, etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753317 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:43:55 +0000 shabang 2753317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry, I have nothing on-topic to add. Just wanted to say what an adorable little guy!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753312 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:13:33 +0000 SweetiePie 2753312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Ditto. I'm not sure what Rocky's outlook is in terms of caring for himself in the future and what kind of medical interventions he'll need. But as an example my uncle has down syndrome. He's now almost 50 years old and although my grandparents were always very financially secure they did apply for SSDI. Because they never knew if their situation would change or if something happened to them how he would be taken care of. They didn't want the burdens to fall on his siblings. The financial burden that is. My grandparents have since passed away but he still needs assistance. He will never be able to live on his own so as he's been taking turns living with his different siblings the SSDI has helped each of them to care for him. The money covers his food and any additional services he needs. Even things like a special school/care to get him out of the house. He lived with my parents for five years before moving to his next sibling and without a doubt my parents would've struggled immensely if it hadn't been for the SSDI. My parents were actually very responsible with it and they kept it separate and only used it for his expenses. Food, clothing, school and activities, even things like buying his other siblings Christmas gifts. He wants to buy all six of his sibling something but obviously he doesn't work and he wouldn't be able to afford it on his own if it weren't for the SSDI. I know that seems relatively small but for someone like him who is such a sweet and giving person, he likes that he's able to pick out reasonable gifts for everyone. And since it wasn't really needed when my grandparents were alive they were able to continue to put it into savings specifically for him. So not only is my aunt who is currently caring for him getting assistance for weekly and monthly expenses, they have a very nice savings from previous SSDI payments for any larger unexpected expenses that come up. </p> <p> So very long-winded way of saying that you don't know what the future holds and if there is a possibility that he will need help caring for himself even as an adult, and that may fall on someone else I would strongly advise applying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753306 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:58:19 +0000 looch 2753306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are eligible, you should absolutely apply. Regardless of your current state, things may change in the future.</p> <p>My brother receives benefits and it goes to cover his living expenses, as well as personal items to benefit him. There are lawyers and accountants out there that specialize in this kind of stuff (what you can and cannot do, legal entities that you can leverage) if you have questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753305 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:56:39 +0000 littlebug 2753305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Just jumping in as a hospital social worker, most of us working in the inpatient hospital setting don't know much about SSI/SSDI, etc. We know the inpatient world and resources (like, could provide you with the phone number for your local County Assistance Office), but don't know much about that whole process and qualifications. They are VERY different worlds! @anonysquire: Just wanted to point that out so you don't go on a chase to find someone who, in the end, may not have the information you need.</p> <p>I used to work at a children's hospital, so I did sometimes help my patients' parents sign up for SSI. From what I remember, if a child is receiving SSI benefits for more than 2 years, they can then qualify for Medicare. - ETA, this was more than 10 years ago, so things could have changed! Like I said, hospital social workers aren't necessarily up to date on all that outpatient stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753295 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:35:15 +0000 Cole 2753295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there a social worker at your hospital that you could make an appointment with? My sister has a chronic illness and it made sense for my parents to enroll her in the state health insurance plan but not for ss. I know that now as an adult having ss severely limits her ability to work, in party because you can't start and stop repeatedly I believe. She can work most of the time but then will have flare ups that make working impossible so it's a challenging situation to navigate- but obviously your little guy isn't at that stage yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753291 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:24:59 +0000 matador84 2753291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: agreed, sadly. We have a lot of students who qualify ssi because of a disability, but I would say financially if you are doing fine, I wouldn't apply. Although I don't know much about that end of it... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753290 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:05:32 +0000 ladybee 2753290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I'm mild/moderate intervention specialist (special need teacher). Most of my students are cognitively delayed or autisic. They receive SSDI. Honestly? I've only had two families use the money as it's intended. Most just use it to pay their bills. </p> <p>What are his needs? Does he go to therapy? Does he need special medical equipment? Excessive appointments? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753271 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 05:40:55 +0000 MrsADS 2753271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire I do this for a living but on my phone now. I'll come back and write more. It's complicated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753256 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 23:18:06 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2753256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2015/05/17/ssi-for-children-what-every-parent-should-know-abo.aspx" rel="nofollow">https://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2015/05/17/ssi-for-children-what-every-parent-should-know-abo.aspx</a></p> <p>Quick google search brought that up and it sort of confirms what my experience working with families with children with disabilities has been. It does seem to open the doors to other benefits. I'm not an expert (I work in simply a related field) but SSI from what I know is not based on paying into it, like regular social security (or SSD) that you receive as an adult/elderly person (so I don't understand the comment about paying it back.. maybe someone else knows more than I do!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/social-security-for-a-baby#post-2753249 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 23:07:35 +0000 anonysquire 2753249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my last baby's appt, they told me to sign him<br /> Up for social security payments. Can anyone with more knowledge about this tell me if this is a good idea or not? We have health insurance and they seem to pay for his appts? Well and someone mentioned that I shouldn't sign up for it unless I need it, because if he gets a job when older they will take it from his checks. Also I guess I'm just in denial that people label him special needs. I need help parenting!!! </p> [attach=1857/17/osajgn.600x600.image.jpeg]