Do I want my child receiving SSI? Positives? Negatives?

[Jennefer@SSA]

My 13yo's psychologist recommended that we apply for SSI benefits. Do I really need to do this? Do I want this? The idea of additional income to pay for his medications is appealing...and maybe to start a new therapy or see a psychologist long term as our insurance doesn't cover much at all. But what are the down sides...if we would even qualify? 

 

Any btdt advice would be much appreciated. 

 

Jennefer 

[geodob]

If the psychologist will support your application, then you might as well go for it.

Where the money that it provides to help with medication and therapy?

Might mean that in 4 or 5 years time.

That SSI benefits are no longer needed.

 

 

[Jilly]

:bigear: The same thing was recommended for my son. I would love to hear opinions on this. 

[Crimson Wife]

The primary downside is that it is a HUGE red tape hassle to apply. Maybe less so for your child than mine if there isn't a big paper trail. SSI wants details on ALL the doctors, therapists, Early Intervention and special ed services, etc. ever used. I started filling out the application for my DD earlier this year and had to pause it to go looking up a bunch of information from her file. Then by the time I found what I needed, the system had gone down for maintenance. By the time it had come back up, I was in the middle of dealing with another red tape hassle. In the middle of taking care of that other thing, DH found a new job so we no longer would qualify for the SSI cash benefit.

 

I do have finish applying for SSI on my "to do" list for youngest DD because getting her officially deemed "disabled" by the government will make her eligible for certain other things. Also it would speed the process of receiving the cash benefits if (Heaven forbid) we found ourselves in a position again where we'd qualify.

[Ottakee]

It can be a hassle to apply for but the benefits can be great....even if it is just a few dollars a month but the extra medical insurance is wonderful.  There are also often other programs you can automatically qualify for if they get SSI.  A paper trail is great and even if you don't get it now, start the paper trail for when they turn 18.

[MomOfABunch]

It can be a huge PITA. It depends on the laws in your state whether it's worth it or not. In my state, DD qualifies, but doesn't get cash if our income is too high. BUT, she does receive Medicaid because she *qualifies* for SSI. So for us, it's worth it because of the Medicaid. Medicaid reimburses our family health insurance premium because DD is on that policy also.

[faithfulmama]

I'm curious about this as well.  I'm pretty sure my son would qualify for disability, but I thought that our income would  exclude us.  We are in Texas.  I would be interested in applying if he would qualify for Medicaid to help cover therapies that our insurance has a cap on.  I've looked at the Social Security website for info, but couldn't really find info on income guidelines or much specific info.  For you who are applying or have applied, have you done the process on your own, or is there an organization or attorney or someone giving you guidance?  

[Crimson Wife]

Here is some info on family income limits for SSI: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/resources/disability/child-disability/qualifying-ssi-a-child-how-fa