Social Security Assistance for Children with a Learning Disability?

Yes, benefits may be available through a Social Security administration program for a child struggling with a severe learning disability.  There are many different physical and mental conditions that cause learning disabilities in children.  Each learning disability claimant must document their specific impairment condition by providing medical evidence of that child’s specific underlying mental and physical condition which is resulting in the learning impairment.  There is no general category solely for learning disability conditions because these types of impairments can arise due to many physical and mental conditions.  An applicant’s parents must find the child’s mental or physical condition on List B, the Social Security list of approved conditions, and then gather the medical reports needed to prove that the child has met each element of that physical or mental condition.  The parents must submit medical evidence from one or more of the Social Security approved sources which include doctors, therapists, psychologists, teachers or other treating or evaluating sources. 

Medical Requirements the Same in Social Security Programs

The medical requirements necessary to prove or evidence a disability and therefore Social Security program eligibility based on that disability are the same in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.  

1. Diagnosis of a disabling condition on Social Security List B for a child.
2. Medical evidence to prove that the child has a disabling physical or mental condition that severely impairs or limits his ability to function performing daily tasks on a basis commensurate with non-disabled children his same age.

A child with a severe learning disability would be eligible for Social Security benefits if his disability is severe enough to warrant an award of benefits.  The child’s claim will be evaluated by measuring the severity of the effects of the impairment on the child’s ability to function on the level generally accepted by his peers.  If the Disability Determination Service finds that the disability has no effect or only a minor affect on the child’s functioning and learning his application will be denied. 

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family would like to apply for benefits for your learning disabled child with a Social Security administration program it may be helpful to access the guidance and experience of a disability lawyer during the application process to avoid making application errors that can lead to claim denial notices, claim reconsideration requests and appeals.