This is NOT a paid post. This is provide by Ram Meyyappan of
Social Security Disability Help, as a source of valuable information that may benefit you and your family. 

Disability Benefits for Autistic Children

Many people are unaware of the fact that social security disability benefits are available to not only disabled adults, but disabled children as well. Adults with a strong work history will have to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI), where as children and adults without a strong work history will have to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What is SSI?

SSI is a financial-need-based program that places strict limits on the income and financial assets of the recipient and/or his or her parents.

If your income and other financial resources fall within the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s limitations, then your child may be able to receive disability benefits through SSI for his or her autistic disorder; however, there are also medical eligibility requirements that the SSA has established for autism as well.

To learn more about SSI financial eligibility criteria, visit: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm

The Severity Level of Autism and qualifying for benefits

For most medical conditions, including autism, to qualify for disability benefits, they must meet a particular severity level. That level is established by the SSA as the degree at which a medical condition results in disability.

For your child’s autism to qualify for benefits, his or her doctor must have found and documented the pronounced deficits in social interaction, reciprocal behaviors, imaginative thought, communication abilities, and that your child has a very limited and quite restricted number of interests and activities.

These deficiencies must also cause pronounced limitations in at least two functional areas, including cognitive, communicative, personal care, and concentration/pace/persistence.

For more information on applying for disability benefits with Autism, please visit: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/autism-and-social-security-disability

The Disability Application Process

When applying for disability benefits for a disabled child you will need to complete an interview with a representative from your local SSA office to fill out your application.

Unfortunately, about 2/3 of applications are initially denied and will have to go through an appeals process before being approved. If your initial claim is denied, then you will have to request a reconsideration within 60 days of receiving your letter of denial. Unfortunately, almost 90% of these are denied as well. The next step in the process is a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). This will be your best chance of being approved for benefits, as almost 60% of disability applications are approved during this stage.

The disability application and review processes can be stressful and cumbersome, but getting the benefits you and/or your child need is worth the effort. You should consider seeking the assistance of a disability attorney or advocate, especially if your claim is denied.

Article by Ram Meyyappan
Social Security Disability Help