Florida laws to help children with qualifying mental conditions

A concern that often arises for Florida parents who have a child with a mental disorder is how to pay for the child’s care. Although Social Security disability is a useful program to provide assistance to these parents, there are frequent worries regarding the rules and regulations as to how much can be received, what the work and income requirements are and what can happen to deny or end benefits for those who believed they had sufficient cause to get them.

The Florida legislature is moving forward with two separate bills that are meant to assist children who are suffering from qualifying mental conditions as well as their parents. These bills will reach the governor in the hopes that they will be passed into law. One bill will allow people who are disabled to maintain a tax-free savings account. This is important because what is in that account won’t be calculated when filing for disability benefits under Social Security. The other bill is set to raise the number of children who will be allowed to take part in special education programs using vouchers.

These proposed new laws highlight the issues that parents of a child with mental retardation or some other mental disorder face when applying for Social Security disability. While they might have a child whose issues make it clear that the application will be approved, the parents might make too much money in income to qualify. Understanding the law when it comes to applying, how various factors are weighed and what must be done to secure benefits can seem overwhelming to parents who are already dealing with the reality of a child that will need significant care and medical attention.

With the laws changing to allow parents to have a separate savings account in addition to the possibility of receiving benefits, there is greater opportunity to provide children the care that they require. Discussing these matters with a legal professional experienced in assisting parents who have children with qualifying mental conditions is a wise choice to getting fair benefits.

Source: health.wusf.usf.edu, “House Passes Programs For Intellectually Disabled Children,” April 27, 2015

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