Tips on Applying for Disability Benefits for a Child with Down Syndrome

Down syndrome and mosaic Down syndrome can qualify your child medically to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

 Tip #1: Understand the SSI program

It is important to understand that medically qualifying is only part of the eligibility determination process. There are also financial considerations the SSA reviews when making a decision on your child’s eligibility for SSI. This is because SSI is a need-based program for which applicants must have very limited income and other financial resources to pay for their everyday needs.

When deciding if children qualify for SSI, the SSA looks at the financial resources of the child, including sources like child support. They also factor in a portion of the income of the child’s parents as well as other sources of financial resources the parents may have. You can learn more about the financial rules for SSI here: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/

 Tip #2: Understand how your child can medically qualify for benefits 

The SSA has set procedures for reviewing the medical records of applicants to determine if they are medically eligible for benefits. Your child’s records will be reviewed in relation to listings in the Blue Book, which is a manual of disabling conditions and the medical evidence needed to prove disability.

For Down syndrome, the Blue Book listing appears in Section 110.06. This listing requires one of the following:

Everything You Need to Know About the ABLE Act

From the NDSS:

Dear Friends,
The December NDSS webinar will be “ABLE Act 101 – Everything You Need to Know About the ABLE Act” on December 7th at 1pm Eastern.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2011 (S. 1872/H.R. 3423) was just introduced in the 112^th Congress in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. When passed as a law, the ABLE Act will give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities without losing benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for individuals, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. During this webinar, you will learn the nuts and bolts about the ABLE Act and how you can take action to get the ABLE Act passed into law

Presenters:

• John Ariale, Chief of Staff, Representative Ander Crenshaw (R-Florida)
• Jennifer Debes, Legislative Assistant, Representative Ander Crenshaw (R-Florida)
• Steve Beck, Parent; Board Member, National Down Syndrome Society; Board Member, Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia
• Madeleine Will, Director, National Down Syndrome Society
• Sara Weir, Senior Policy Advisory,  National Down Syndrome Society

Slides from the presentation will be posted to www.ndss.org. During the webinar there will be time for Q and A. Please feel free to share this webinar and the login information with anyone you feel may be interested in the presentation.

Please register to attend this webinar.  Seats are limited: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/608740234

Warmly,

NDSS
National Down Syndrome Society
666 Broadway, Suite 810
New York, NY 10012
800-221-4602
www.ndss.org