Social Security Disability Benefits and Angelman Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome ( AS ) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by developmental delays and neurological problems . Children with AS often require around-the-clock care for their entire lives .
Parents of children who have AS often dedicate extra time , energy , and even money to provide a high quality of life for their child . Assistive technology , supportive care , and specialty medical treatments rack up expenses quickly . Parents may even find it necessary to take time away from work to be with their child . The resulting loss of income and lack of medical insurances can be financially devastating .
If your child has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome , he or she may qualify for financial assistance in the form of Social Security Disability ( SSD ) benefits . SSD payments can be used to cover your child ’ s expenses — including anything from food to supportive services to medical bills .
The following article will give you a basic overview of the options available to your family and will provide you with the information needed to begin the SSD application process .
Compassionate Allowances and Angelman Syndrome Typically , the SSD application process can take months or even years to complete . Fortunately , the SSA recognizes that individuals with severely disabling conditions may not be able to wait that long to receive disability benefits . For this reason , the SSA offers Compassionate Allowances ( CAL ) processing to individuals with certain disabilities . Applicants who have been diagnosed with conditions covered by the CAL program can receive SSD benefits in as little as 10 days . Angelman Syndrome is one of approximately 200 conditions that qualify for CAL processing . You will not need to fill out additional paperwork or request to receive CAL processing . The SSA will evaluate your child ’ s claim and expedite it accordingly .
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income The SSA offers disability benefits through two separate programs — SSDI and SSI . Each of these programs has very specific technical eligibility requirements .
SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance and provides benefits to disabled workers . Eligibility for SSDI is dependent on an applicant ’ s employment history as well as the amount of taxes he or she has paid into the system . Children and young adults don ’ t often qualify for SSDI on their own record because they haven ’ t had the chance to work and pay into the program .
It is important to note , that if the child ’ s parent is qualified for SSDI or retirement benefits , the child may qualify for dependent benefits based on a parent or guardian ’ s earnings record . If your child is technically an adult , but was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome before age 22 , he or she is considered to be an adult child . Adult children may also qualify for a child ’ s dependent benefits .
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income . SSI is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to elderly or disabled individuals who earn very little income . Eligibility for SSI is based on financial need , not employment history . To qualify , applicants cannot exceed specific financial limitations set in place by the SSA
In the case of a child , a portion of his or her parent ’ s income will be “ deemed ” . This means that the SSA will evaluate the deemed income to determine whether or not the child meets the SSI financial eligibility requirements . Deeming occurs for children who are under the age of 18 , unmarried , and still live with a parent or guardian . Parents ’ earned income , unearned income , and financial resources will all be taken into consideration .
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