Redetermination For Children’s Disability at 18
By Chris Sharry on July 3rd, 2013 in Disability Children
Many parents have asked what happens to their child’s disability benefit when they turn 18. Do they automatically lose the benefit? The answer is no.
At age 18, the child must go through a process called a redetermination of benefits to determine whether or not their benefits should continue. The reason for this process is because the standard to determine disability is different for adults as it is for children. As a child, the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines limitations based on functioning over six domains of function. When the child turns 18, SSA must examine the child’s limitations and how it affects their ability or capacity to work.
So how does SSA determine a child’s ability to work at age 18 with little or no work experience. SSA will assess the child’s ability to work or enter the workforce based on limitations observed in school, part-time work or volunteer position, and discussing the child’s limitations with persons that may have made observations regarding the ability to work.
Documentation will be needed to show these limitations and may include:
- Medical records
- School records
- Teacher statements
- Counseling records
- Statements by employers, charities, internships and volunteer opportunities
- Statements by family
