Child Disability and Social Security Claim Decisions

Child Social Security Disability

• Child SSDI Overview
• Qualifying for Child SSDI
• Child Disability Medical Exams
• Eligible Child Disabilities
• Child Disability Claim Evaluations
• Approved Child Disability Claims
• Denied Child SSDI Claims and Appeals
• Special Circumstances for Child SSI and SSDI

After you turn in the child’s application, Social Security may contact you for further information. They also contact you to verify information. Social Security may also send you documents to sign such as medical releases.

The Disability Determination Service

Once the application and disability report is complete, the information is sent to Disability Determination Services. Determination Services (DDS) Office in your state decides your child’s claim. SSA funds this office. Its decisions are subject to appeal.

Examiners and Claim Evaluations

An evaluation team that includes a medical or psychological consultant and alay evaluation specialist makes the disability determination.

Listing of Impairments – if a child’s condition or symptoms match or are equivalent to the listing of impairments the child is considered disabled by operation of law without further considerations.

Child's Functional Capacity, Abilities, Limitations

Limitations in functioning must result from the child’s medically determinable impairment(s). Your symptoms (such as pain, fatigue, decreased energy, or anxiety) may limit your functioning. Social Security will look at whether the child can do the things that other children their age typically do or whether the child has limitations and restrictions because of their medically determinable impairment(s).

Assessments of Learning Disabilities

If the child attends school or preschool, Social Security will ask the child’s teacher(s) about the child’s performance in activities throughout the school day. They consider all the evidence received from the school, including teacher questionnaires, teacher checklists, group achievement testing, and report cards.

If you have received a comprehensive assessment for early intervention services or special education services, Social Security will consider information used by the assessment team to make its recommendations. Social Security consider the information in the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan, Individualized Education Program, or the plan for transition services to help us understand the child’s functioning.

Other factors to Be Considired

The impact of chronic illness and limitations that interfere with the child’s activities over time-- This would include situations where the frequency of treatment or illness makes it difficult for the child to keep up with peers in school or requires frequent absences from school.

The effects of treatment (including medications and other treatment) – For instance side effects from medication like drowsiness or nausea.