Raising a child on a limited income can be difficult when you have healthy, able-bodied children. However, when you have a child with disabilities, it not only becomes difficult to pay the bills but to care for your child if you need to work extra hours.
According to the SSA, your child can receive SSI. Supplemental security income can help support your child.
How does SSI work?
Unmarried children under 18 may be eligible for SSI for children. Additionally, those under 22 may be eligible if they attend school.
Children eligible for disability can receive benefits as early as their day of birth, but kids at any age can apply. Most kids have eligibility until they turn 18. Once a child turns 18, the SSA assesses him or her. The SSA determines if a child’s disability also qualifies for adult disability.
Is your child eligible?
Before determining eligibility, the SSA takes into consideration your income too. Your income is part of the resources available to your children. If your children have a stepparent, then the SSA may also look at the stepparent’s income.
To become eligible due to epilepsy, the child must have generalized tonic-clonic seizures at least once a month for three consecutive months, despite taking medication. Absent seizures can also qualify if the child has at least one seizure a week for at least three months at a time, despite taking medication for it.
When you have a child with serious epilepsy, he or she may need care throughout the day. It can impact your ability to hold down a job or care for your kids.