A previous post on this blog discussed how our office has represented parents of children who have serious ADHD or other neurological conditions in getting disability benefits for their children through the Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, program.
It should be noted that adults in Kissimmee, Florida, with lingering ADHD also may need disability benefits if the condition prevents the person from being able to work in a job reasonably consistent with his or her skill set.
With respect to children with ADHD, a family has to meet two basic criteria in order to get SSI benefits. First of all, the child and the child’s family have to meet certain income and asset requirements, as SSI benefits are meant to serve as financial aid for people who are in need and have a disability.
Perhaps more importantly, the family will have to show that their child’s ADHD has to have what the Social Security Administration calls “marks and severe functional limitations.” This is a complicated legal term which might be hard for some to understand, and it’s generally a good idea to consult with an experience Florida Social Security attorney if one has questions.
In general, however, the Administration is basically going to look at several broad categories of activities that a typical child is expected to perform, such as being able to attend to a basic task. If a parent can show his or her child has limited abilities in these categories, the Administration may find that the child applying for disability is entitled to benefits.
While not every case of childhood ADHD is going to qualify that child for disability, many more significant cases of this condition may make the child entitled to regular monthly benefits which can no doubt help the child’s parents support his or her ongoing treatment.