My child gets social security disability. How long will it last?

If you are the parent of a child under the age of 18 who is disabled and who has had an approved child social security disability claim, your child is probably receiving Social Security Benefits through the SSI program. If so, you will probably have plenty of questions about the SSI process and how long the disability benefits will last. 

• The process of receiving and reviewing minor child SSI benefits is clearly spelled out by the Social Security Administration, and there are specific guidelines on how payments are made, who can receive them, and the duration of the payments.  Understanding the process and the regulations behind it are key to making sure that your child receives the maximum possible benefit.
• Child SSI benefits are periodically reviewed by the SSA to determine whether they should continue.  At minimum, they are reviewed every three years for children with conditions that are expected to improve, and they are reviewed at one year for babies born with a low birth weight, to determine that they have begun to improve. 
• At the age of 18, a child is considered to become an adult, so they will be reviewed and begin on the adult benefit scale at this time, based on the status of their condition at the age of eighteen. 
• Child SSI benefits can last up to the age of 18, but with the constant review process, may not last that long in practice unless your child's condition doesn't experience improvement.

When going through the process of getting SSI benefits for your child, it is important to have an advocate. Hiring a social security disability lawyer can help you to ensure your child gets the benefits he deserves, and your lawyer can also answer any and all questions you have about your child's benefits.