Will my doctor be enough to get my child SSDI?

A disabled child may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits through SSI, depending on your family income, the nature and scope of the disability, as well as the severity of the condition and what the expected recovery prognosis or outcome may be.  If your child has a disability, you may have questions about whether a doctor’s testimony or expert opinion will be sufficient for your child to receive Social Security disability benefits, or whether you will need to provide other medical proof that your child is severely disabled and should be receiving benefits.

In general, a doctor’s testimony may not be enough to ensure that your child receives SSI benefits. 

• You may need to acquire information to submit to the Social Security Administration from teachers, counselors, therapists, or specialists, along with your regular family pediatrician in order to make a compelling case for your child to receive disability benefits.  
• In addition, a state agency will also review your child’s case prior to determining whether disability is warranted, and they may ask for an independent review of your child’s condition from one of their own doctors.  

You will want to be fully prepared to defend your position, so collecting as much information as possible about your child’s disability is a good idea. You should also strongly consider working with an attorney who can help you take steps to prove your child is, in fact, disabled and entitled to benefits.