Disability Benefit Programs
The SSA has two disability programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSDI is usually only available to disabled workers who have sufficient work credits from their past employment. Under some circumstances, children are able to get SSDI under the work credits of a disabled or deceased parent or guardian though.
SSI is the program under which disabled children most often qualify but it is important to understand that there are strict income and financial resource limitations set for this program. The finances of parents or legal guardians are factored into a child’s eligibility under SSI. Even so, many kids are able to receive support through this program.
Compassionate Allowances
The CAL program speeds up the review of disability applications. The SSA considers medical conditions in this program as “automatically” medially qualified for benefits. This makes the review and approval of medical eligibility much simpler, but you must still fill out the full application and go through the review process, including providing the SSA with medical records to support the claim for benefits.
Required Medical Evidence for Revesz Syndrome
Although CAL applications usually have a decision in just a few weeks instead of taking months like standard disability applications, they can be delayed if the required medical records are not available for the SSA to review.
It is best to provide copies of records at the time that you apply for benefits. This prevents the SSA from having to request those records from your child’s doctors.
CAL designation reduces the required medical records down to just the essentials necessary for making a disability determination. These include:
- A detailed medical history, including exam notes that describe the features of the syndrome, its symptoms, onset, treatment, and prognosis.
- Lab test results documenting aplastic anemia, liver involvement, and other common complications of the syndrome.
- Vision test results showing changes loss of visual field and acuity, including any corrective measures taken.
Though not required for approval of Social Security Disability, genetic tests are often performed with Revesz Syndrome patients, especially if a bone marrow transplant is required. Submit these results to the SSA if they are available at the time you apply for benefits.
Although the SSA can make a decision on your child’s claim for benefits with only the medical evidence listed above, they usually still review listings in the Blue Book. The Blue Book contains information on disabilities and the medical evidence required for proving the severity level of each condition. Listings that may apply to your child’s disability application include:
- Sections 102.02, 102.03, and/or 102.04, for vision loss
- Section 7.17 or Section 107.03, for aplastic anemia
- Section 110.08, for genetic disorders that affect multiple body systems
Review the requirements of these Blue Book listings with your child’s doctor to ensure medical records reflect the severity level of your son or daughter’s disability.
Submitting an Application
Disability applications for children are made in person via an interview with an SSA representative. Schedule your interview by calling 1-800-772-1213. Appointments are usually held at the local SSA office. You will apply for SSI benefits, and if potentially eligible, an application for SSDI can be submitted at the same time.
SSI benefit applications require medical as well as financial records. Review the SSA’s Child Disability Starter Kit to help you gather then necessary documentation and otherwise prepare for your appointment.
