{"id":11142,"date":"2016-02-24T13:39:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-24T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/?p=11142"},"modified":"2023-11-08T10:30:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T18:30:13","slug":"disability-benefits-for-speech-disorders-how-to-apply-on-behalf-of-a-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/financial-resources\/disability-benefits-for-speech-disorders-how-to-apply-on-behalf-of-a-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Disability Benefits for Speech Disorders: How to Apply on Behalf of a Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest Post! As the Community Outreach Manager of Social Security Disability Help, Deanna Powers knows\u00a0her way around applying for disability benefits on behalf of a child with a speech disorder.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From trips to the doctor\u2019s office to therapist bills, if you are the parent of a child with a speech disorder, you know the added costs your family incurs. Fortunately, there are financial resources available for families who qualify. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly disability benefits for speech disorders for children who have a qualifying disability.<\/p>\n

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Children qualify for Supplemental Security Income<\/a>, or SSI. SSI has two standards that need to be met in order for a child to qualify: one is financial<\/em><\/strong>, and the other is medical<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Photo by\u00a0Eva Rinaldi<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Financially Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income<\/h2>\n
\"Photo

Photo<\/a> by Quinn Dombrowski<\/p><\/div>\n

Although a child does not have an income, SSI benefits are strictly for people with a financial need. The SSA will instead look at an entire household\u2019s income when determining whether or not a child with a speech disorder will qualify for SSI benefits.<\/p>\n

Financial qualification is the #1 reason children are denied SSI benefits. If you or your spouse earn a decent income, your child will not qualify for SSI benefits, regardless of the severity of his or her speech disorder. The SSA has a chart listing how much your household can earn while still qualifying for SSI benefits. If you are married or if you have more than one child, your income thresholds will be higher.<\/p>\n

Many families find that if their child is denied due to financial ineligibility, they can then apply and be approved once the child is age 18. At 18, the SSA no longer factors parents\u2019 income when determining eligibility.<\/p>\n

Medically Qualifying for SSI with a Speech Disorder<\/h2>\n
\"Photo

Photo by Bundesinnung H\u00f6rger\u00e4teakustiker<\/p><\/div>\n

Every time the SSA receives an application for disability benefits, it will compare the applicant\u2019s illness or disability to its own medical guide known as the Blue Book. Children have their own version of the Blue Book<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are a few ways in which a child can meet a Blue Book listing with a speech disorder. One of the more common causes of speech disorders is hearing loss. A child will medically qualify for disability benefits with hearing loss if one of the following is met:<\/p>\n