Since you know that disabled children may be eligible for Social Security benefits, you’re probably wondering “What childhood disabilities qualify for SSI?” We’ve found an answer: and it’s both simpler and more complicated than you might think!
The Social Security Administration has special listings and criteria for many disabilities.
First, the Social Security Administration maintains a listing of impairments that qualify for benefits. It is easier to apply for benefits if you meet one of these listings, so it is important to understand these categories before you apply for disability for a child.
The Social Security listing of impairments includes several categories:
Low Birth Rate & Failure to Thrive
This category includes infants (birth to age one) who have low birth weight and children (birth to age three) who demonstrate failure to thrive.
Musculoskeletal System
Disorders of the musculoskeletal system include:
- Loss of function
- Major dysfunction of joints
- Disorders of the spine
- Amputation
- Fracture of major bones such as the femur, tibia, pelvis or upper extremities
These disabilities are evaluated based on a loss of function, which means that the child’s ability to move around for a long period of time has been impaired for any reason (including pain).
Special Senses and Speech
This category addresses the loss of specific senses, such as vision, hearing and speech. Listed conditions include the loss of visual acuity, loss of visual efficiency and hearing loss (with or without cochlear implant treatment).
Respiratory Disorders
Any breathing-related disorder that obstructs, restricts or interferes with diffusion across cell membranes is included in this category. The guidelines specifically list asthma, cystic fibrosis, and lung transplantation in this category.
Cardiovascular System
A cardiovascular impairment is “any disorder that affects the proper functioning of the heart or circulatory system.” This category specifically lists:
- Chronic heart failure
- Recurrent arrhythmias
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart transplants
- Rheumatic heart disease
Digestive System
The digestive system helps break down food. The Social Security office lists these conditions in this category:
- Chronic liver disease
- Gastrointestinal hemmorhaging
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS)
- Liver transplant
- Need for feeding tube
Genitourinary Disorders
Any disorder that results in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is evaluated under this listing. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Hypertensive nephropathy
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Chronic obstructive uropathy
- Hereditary nephropathies
- Ectopic ureter
- Exstrophic urinary bladder
- Urethral valves
- Eagle-Barrett Syndrome
Hematological Disorders
Non-cancerous blood disorders are evaluated under this listing. These include hemolytic anemias, disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis, and disorders of bone marrow failure.
Skin Disorders
Skin disorders are evaluated based on the extent of the lesions, frequency of flare-ups and how the condition (and treatment) affect you. Some of the specifically listed skin disorders include ichthyosis, bullous disease, dermatitis, genetic photosensitivity disorders and burns.
Endocrine Disorders
An endocrine disorder is one that causes a hormonal imbalance. These can wreak havoc on the body.
Some of the endocrine disorders listed by Social Security include:
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Parathyroid disorders
- Adrenal disorders
- Diabetes
- Pancreatic gland disorders
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
Non-mosaic Down syndrome and other catastrophic congenital disorders are rated under this system. In order to be rated, these disabilities must have a very serious interference with development or functioning.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders cause disorganized motor function, bulbar and neuromuscular dysfunction, or communication impairments.
Some of the disabilities that Social Security lists under this category include:
- Epilepsy
- Benign brain tumors
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord disorders
- Muscular dystrophy
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Coma or persistent vegetative state
Mental Disorders
There are twelve categories of mental disorders for children. These include:
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
- Depressive, bipolar and related disorders
- Intellectual disorders
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Somatic symptom and related disorders
- Personality and impulse-control disorders
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Eating disorders
- Developmental disorders in infants and toddlers
- Trauma- and stressor- related disorders
In order to qualify for disability benefits, your child must meet several requirements. Certain medical information must be present in the medical evidence. The condition must result in certain functional impairments and must last a certain length of time.
Cancer
All types of cancer, except those associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are evaluated under this listing. Social Security evaluates the origin of the cancer, extent of involvement, response to therapy and effects of any therapy when making their decision about cancer claims.
Immune System Disorders
These disorders cause dysfunction in at least one part of the immune system. Autoimmune disorders and HIV infection are also evaluated under this listing.
However, your child may still be eligible even if they don’t match one of these listings.
If your child does not meet any of these listings, the Social Security Administration can still evaluate your child’s disability. They do this by determining which listing is functionally equal to your child’s condition.
Disabilities are evaluated based on how they affect your child’s ability to:
- Acquire and use information
- Attend to and complete tasks
- Interact and relate to others
- Move around and manipulate objects
- Care for themselves
- Enjoy health and physical well-being
Wondering how to apply for disability for a child? Click here!
We’ll show you what paperwork you need, where to apply and more!
Find more ways to save money and get free stuff!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.