Caring for a child with a mental health disorder can be emotionally and financially challenging. Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) is often thought of as a program for adults with long-term disabilities, but children with qualifying mental health conditions may also be eligible under specific circumstances. If approved, disability benefits for children can provide critical financial support to cover specialized therapies and counseling, medications and other treatments, educational resources and accommodations, and basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Additionally, receiving Social Security disability benefits often opens the door to other forms of assistance, such as Medicaid, which can help with medical and therapeutic expenses.
Understanding how Social Security disability works for minors with mental health disorders can help families access crucial resources to support their child’s well-being.
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
Social Security disability insurance provides monthly financial benefits to individuals who have paid into the Social Security system through employment and payroll taxes. While
Social Security disability insurance primarily serves disabled workers, children with disabilities can also receive benefits in the following scenarios:
- Through a parent’s eligibility: A child can receive dependent benefits if a parent is receiving Social Security disability benefits due to their own disability or has passed away and was insured under the Social Security system
- Under the “adult child” provision: If the child’s disability began before age 22, they may qualify for Social Security disability benefits as a disabled adult child once they meet the definition of disability under SSA guidelines and have an eligible parent.
How Mental Health Disorders Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers mental health disorders under its Listing of Impairments (the “Blue Book”). For children, the SSA evaluates mental health conditions differently than for adults, focusing on how the disorder impacts age-appropriate functioning.
Some common mental health disorders that may qualify include the following:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Depression and bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Intellectual disabilities
Proving Eligibility For Social Security Disability Benefits For Children
While the SSA offers a path to benefits for children, proving eligibility for mental health disorders can be complex. To qualify, the condition must meet two conditions. First, it must be medically documented through diagnosis and treatment. Second, it must cause “marked and severe” functional limitations that have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months.
Medical evidence
A diagnosis alone is insufficient to qualify for Social Security disability. The SSA requires extensive documentation, such as psychiatric evaluations, therapy notes, and psychological assessments; records of prescribed medications and their effectiveness; and documentation of hospitalizations, if applicable.
Marked and severe functional limitations
The SSA examines how a mental health disorder impacts a child’s daily life, school performance, and social interactions. For example, a child with autism may struggle with communication and adapting to changes in routine. And a child with severe anxiety might avoid attending school or participating in group activities.
The SSA evaluates limitations across six functional domains:
- Acquiring and using information
- Attending and completing tasks
- Interacting and relating with others
- Moving about and manipulating objects
- Caring for oneself
- Maintaining health and physical well-being
The child must have “marked” limitations in at least two domains or an “extreme” limitation in one domain to qualify. A marked limitation represents a serious interference with a person’s ability to function independently, effectively, and on a sustained basis in a particular area. A child with a marked limitation in interacting with others might have significant difficulty communicating, making friends, or understanding social cues, but they can still manage limited social interactions with significant support or accommodations.
An extreme limitation indicates that the individual is unable to function in a particular domain or has almost no ability to perform age-appropriate activities in that area. A child with an extreme limitation in maintaining concentration might be entirely unable to focus long enough to complete simple tasks or follow instructions, even with constant supervision and structured support.
Tips For Navigating The Social Security Disability Process
Applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits for a child with a mental health disorder can feel overwhelming, but preparation and organization are key. By taking proactive steps and leveraging available resources, you can strengthen your application and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
The most important step you can take is to ensure you have comprehensive documentation from all professionals involved in your child’s care, including therapists, psychiatrists, teachers, and pediatricians.
It may also be helpful to keep a daily journal of how your child’s mental health condition affects their ability to perform activities at home, school, and in your community.
Experienced Social Security attorneys can help you gather evidence, complete paperwork, and navigate appeals if your claim is initially denied. Reach out to the experienced Social Security disability attorneys in the Richmond, Virginia, office of Hunter | Everage. We can help you navigate the disability benefit application process and advocate for your child’s rights.