Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI ) for adults disabled since childhood
Medicaid
Medicare
Children ’ s Health Insurance Program ( CHIP )
State Level Health Programs
FINANCIAL condition ( s ) must have been disabling or expected to be disabling for at least 12 months , or the condition is expected to result in death .
Income restrictions for 2018 are that the child must not be working , or earning more than $ 1,180 per month . It should be noted that this amount changes from year to year and is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index .
State agencies review initial SSI claims and may take up to six months to determine if benefits should be awarded . However , if the child has certain medical conditions , payments may be made immediately . Some of those conditions may include HIV infection , total blindness or deafness , cerebral palsy , Down syndrome , muscular dystrophy , a severe intellectual disability ( if the child is four years old or older ), or a birth weight below 2 pounds , 10 ounces .
Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI ) for adults disabled since childhood
The SSDI pays benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they turned 22 years old . It is considered a child ’ s benefit because it is paid on a parent ’ s Social Security earnings record . To receive this child benefit , one of the disabled adult ’ s parents must be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits , or the parent must have died but worked enough to qualify for Social Security . The SSDI disabled adult benefit payments will continue for as long as the individual is disabled .
Medicaid
In most states , children who receive SSI payments qualify for Medicaid . In some states , this benefit is automatic , while in others , you must sign up for it . Some children may qualify for Medicaid even if they do not qualify for SSI benefits . This will vary from state to state , so it is best to check with a local Social Security office or state Medicaid office to see if and how you can qualify .
Medicare
This is a federal health insurance program for people who are age 65 and older , and for people who have been getting SSDI benefits for at least two years . However , a disabled adult child can get Medicare immediately if they have a chronic renal disease and need dialysis or a kidney transplant , or they have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig ’ s disease .
Children ’ s Health Insurance Program ( CHIP )
CHIP allows states to provide health insurance for children of working families who have income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid , but too low to afford private health insurance . Criteria will vary from state to state , and it is best to contact your state Medicaid agency to get more information about this program .
State Level Health Programs
Under the Children with Special Health Care Needs provision of the Social Security Act , state agencies provide some services through clinics , private offices , community agencies , or hospital-based treatment centers . Local health departments or social services offices should be able to help you identify and contact your local Children with Special Health Care Needs programs .
Bret Colson brings more than 25 years of public and private sector experience to his role as senior editor at Eligibility . com . In his role as senior editor , Bret is responsible for researching and publishing news and information on a variety of public benefit programs with the goal of assisting the public in obtaining greater access to vital services at the local , state , and federal levels .
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