SSD Insurance Eligibility for Disabled Children

Aside from social security disability (SSD) services, the proper agencies themselves have also taken measures to clarify who qualifies for SSD benefits. Although the common perception is that senior citizens are the primary benefactors, disabled minors can also enjoy SSD benefits.

The SSA's factsheet on SSD insurance highlights three simple rules that identify an eligible disabled child. Here are the rules in detail.

Not Working

Normally, children aren't supposed to be working; but under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the minimum employment age is set at 14 years old. The statute also identifies the jobs that such minors should be working in. Nevertheless, the SSA requires children to be not earning more than $1,070 monthly (the limit amount changes every year).

Marked and Severe Functional Limitations

Section 416.902 of the Social Security Act defines the phrase "marked and severe functional limitations" as the standard for determining disability in children. In itself, the term has no clear definition; but it defines statutes in the Act that can warrant its use. These include disability evaluation (Sec. 416.924) and medical equivalence (Sec. 416.926).

One-Year Rule

Apart from "marked and severe functional limitations," the disability must also last, is expected to last for 12 months, or expected to result in death for the child receive SSD benefits.