Having a child with disabilities is one of the most rewarding, yet exhausting endeavors. Your child has needs that others don’t, so it takes careful consideration to do most of the things others take for granted. Fortunately, there are several local, state and federal programs available to help you handle all that life throws at you and your family. A Medicaid lawyer like one can explain to you about the legal requirements in detail. If you’re the parent of a child with disabilities, the following programs might help.
Cash Payment Programs
While the requirements are different for each program, there are several you can utilize to obtain cash payments from the government. Some of those programs include:
- Social Security Survivor Benefits – If the parent of a disabled child dies, the child could receive social security survivor benefits. When the child turns 18, he or she could receive Social Security Disabled Adult Child benefits.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Previously known as Food Stamps, SNAP gives families of disabled children and others electronic debit cards specifically for food.
- Supplemental Security Income – SSI is for families with children who have disabilities, whose income meets a certain requirement. The child would receive monthly payments up to $733.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – As the name implies, this is a temporary solution for needy families, including those with parents trying to care for disabled children.
- VA Pensions – There are several VA benefits that consider dependent children, and when a child has a disability, that benefit could increase.
Healthcare Programs
Many children with disabilities will have more medical appointments than other children. There are a handful of programs designed to help families with these appointments, with Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program being just two:
- Medicaid – Both federal and state governments fund Medicaid for qualifying children. When a disabled child receives SSI, he or she automatically qualifies for Medicaid in most states as well. Some states require other qualifications as well, but most will qualify based on the type of disability, the requirement of medical equipment, the requirement of in-home support and other factors.
- Children’s Health Insurance Program – CHIP is a program that goes by different names in each state, but it’s basically the same thing. For families that can’t afford insurance but also don’t qualify for Medicaid, CHIP could be the best option. Some states require a low premium while others don’t require a premium at all.
Getting the Assistance You Need
As the parent of a disabled child, you have certain needs that other parents don’t have. Fortunately, the government understands this and has provided several programs to assist with your situation. If you need help getting started, or if you feel you are being discriminated against, contact a Medicaid lawyer today.
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