Grech Law Firm has provided compassionate representation and personalized support to individuals with disabilities and their families for 25 years. If you are the parent of a child with a disability in Michigan, understanding the eligibility requirements for seeking Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the process for applying for benefits can be vital for your child’s future.
Contact our law firm for a free consultation with an experienced SSI attorney. We’ll walk you through the steps involved in seeking SSI benefits and explain the documentation you’ll need to prepare before filing your application.
Why Hire Grech Law Firm for SSI for Children in Michigan?
Obtaining the disability benefits your child is entitled to can be challenging, as the process is often complex and overwhelming for families going through it for the first time. Many parents don’t know what documentation they need when applying for benefits and may become discouraged if the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies their initial application.
At Grech Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping individuals and families seek the disability benefits they need. We can collect the necessary medical documentation of your child’s disability, file your claim for benefits, and represent you in disability hearings and throughout the appeals process.
We can also handle all communication with the SSA disability examiners, reducing the stress you experience. When you work with us, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that our team is fighting for the benefits your child deserves.
SSI Eligibility Rules for Children
The SSA considers someone a child for SSI benefit eligibility if they are under the age of 18 or under the age of 22 and are regularly attending school as a student. There is no minimum age for a child to receive SSI benefits.
A child is considered to have a disability if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that severely limits significant bodily functions and meets one of the following criteria:
- Can be expected to result in death
- Has lasted for or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months
SSI benefits are also based on an individual’s earned and unearned income, including wages from work and other benefits they receive. For minors, a portion of their parents’ income may be used for this purpose. The general income limits are:
- $3,993 for a one-parent household if all income is earned
- $4,959 for a two-parent household if all income is earned
- $1,974 for a one-parent household if all income is unearned
- $2,457 for a two-parent household if all income is unearned
Required Documentation for SSI Applications
When applying for SSI benefits for your child, it’s important to have the necessary documentation of your child’s age, their disability, and their/your income and resources. Some of the documents you will need that your lawyer can help you obtain include:
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Payroll stubs, tax returns, or bank statements showing your child’s or your earned and unearned income
- Bank statements, life insurance policies, and other proof of your child’s or your resources
- Proof of your living arrangement, including a lease or rent receipt, a deed, or a property tax bill
- Medical evidence, including medical reports, prescription medication names, and doctor or other medical provider contact information
- Your child’s work history, if they have any
The SSI Application Process
Parents can apply for SSI benefits for their children by going through the online portal or by calling the SSA. You can also have someone else, such as your lawyer, initiate the application process on your behalf.
After submitting your application, the SSA may take several months to process it and investigate your child’s disability further before responding with an acceptance or denial of their benefits.
It’s vital that you apply for SSI benefits as soon as possible. This is because the SSA provides back pay between your date of application and the date on which your benefits begin, for up to 12 months. However, this back pay does not apply to months prior to your application being filed.
Appealing Child SSI Denials
If your child’s SSI benefits are denied, that is not the end of the matter. A robust appeals process is in place for SSI claims, involving multiple levels of appeal. These levels include:
- Applying for a reconsideration within 60 days of your initial claim denial
- Requesting a hearing with an administrative law judge within 60 days of the denial
- Appealing the administrative law judge’s decision to the Appeals Council within 60 days of the judge’s determination
- Appealing the Appeals Council’s decision by filing for a federal court review in the district court
The best way to make a successful appeal is to work with an experienced attorney who can represent you during the hearings and present key evidence in support of your claim.
How Our Law Firm Can Help You Throughout the Process
Our SSI law firm can help you throughout the entire SSI process, from your initial application for benefits to your appeals. This includes gathering the documentation you need to prove your child’s disability, working with your child’s doctor to collect medical evidence, handling all communication with the SSA, filing appeals on your behalf, and representing you in hearings.
Contact Our SSI Attorney in Utica, Michigan
Are you the parent of a child with a disability? Are you concerned about your child’s future due to how their ability will affect their life and ability to work? Contact Grech Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate SSI attorney.
During your initial consultation, we’ll explain how your child may be eligible for SSI benefits that can help you support them now and in the future. Our lawyer can assist you throughout the entire SSI application process and represent you during appeals if your claim is initially denied.