Insurance & Disability Information
How A Child With A Brain Tumor Can Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits
If your child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, it can be an emotionally draining experience for the family. The added medical expenses can also affect the entire household. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees a disability program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This program provides monthly benefits to disabled children who meet specific medical and financial criteria.
Meeting The Medical Criteria
The SSA uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book, to determine if a claimant qualifies for disability benefits. There are specific listings that apply to children. Most brain and spinal cord conditions are reviewed using Blue Book Listing 113.00, which is for Malignant Neoplastic Diseases. Some of the more common kinds of tumors, such as glioblastoma and medulloblastoma are named in this specific section. The following criteria are used to evaluate neoplastic diseases, such as a brain tumor:
- Extent of the involvement
- The original location of the tumor
- Duration, frequency, and response to the therapy
- Effects of any therapy
In many cases, the child will be approved for disability benefits if you can provide medical confirmation of a diagnosis and you can prove that despite treatment, the cancer or tumor has grown or advanced. Brain tumors are also found under Listing 111.00, which covers Neurological Disorders.
When this listing is used, the claim is evaluated depending on impaired neurological functioning. This could include motor dysfunction, non-convulsive or convulsive epilepsy, and impaired communication. Your child may be able to qualify using Listing 112.00, which is for Mental Disorders if there is an intellectual disability, mood disorder, or some mental impairment that results from the brain tumor.
Using A Medical Vocational Allowance
Your child may still qualify for disability benefits if he or she doesn’t meet the listing criteria. A residual functional capacity (RFC) form supported by medical evidence and other supporting documentation such as statements from caregivers and educators, can show SSA what the child can and cannot do.
It will indicate if there are problems writing or using hands, difficulty retaining information or learning, or staying focused. It will also explain if there is difficulty with mobility or other issues. Any other medical problems that the child may suffer, such as heart problems, breathing issues, and so forth will also be considered using this approach.
Meeting The Financial Criteria
There are specific financial requirements that must be met to qualify for SSI. The SSA considers a child to have access to a portion of the parents’ income, so financial documents must be provided to assess both the income and current value of the assets that the parents have. Not all assets are counted against the total. For example, primary place of residence and a single vehicle are not counted.
Applying For Disability Benefits
If your child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you will want to get the disability application underway. To apply for a child, you will have to make an appointment with your local SSA office and they will help you with the application process.
Additional Resources
What is a Representative Payee?
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/glossary/representative-payee
CBTF Online Support & Retreats
http://cbtf.org/signature-programs/
CBTF Resource Guide
Childhood Listings for SSI
Residual Functional Capacity
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/faq/residual-functional-capacity
Asset Limits
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/faq/assets-calculation-ssi
SSA Office Locator
https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
This article was provided by Mark Steele and www.Disability-Benefits-Help.org, an independent website that helps people of all ages through the Social Security process. Feel free to reach out to Mark (mts@ssd-help.org) with any questions or comments.