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Generally, children may be approved for SSI disabilities with most of the same medical and mental conditions that adult’s are approved for. Once again I feel it is important to mention Social Security considers residual functionality (what the child is able to do in spite of their condition) more important than specific diagnoses in children’s disability claims as well. A child who is under the age of eighteen is considered to be disabled under Social Security disability rules if they have a medical or mental impairment or a combination of conditions, which result in severe functional limitations that are expected to result in death, or that are expected to be continuous for at least twelve months. Additionally, these impairments must be established through medically acceptable evidence, which should include objective clinical findings. What do I mean by acceptable medical evidence? Children’s medical and/or mental conditions cannot be established by an individual’s (parent, teacher, etc.) statement of symptoms. All impairments must be established through medical evidence provided through medical treatment sources. What does Social Security use to set the disability criteria for children impairments? Social Security uses the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security disability Handbook otherwise know as the “blue book. This disability handbook contains both adult and children’s sections that deal with a variety of medical conditions both mental and physical. Each section outlines the criteria needed for an approval for Social Security benefits. The blue book contains children’s sections concerning growth impairments, musculoskeletal system, special senses and speech, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, genito-urinary system, hemic and lymphatic system, endocrine system, multiple body systems, neurological, mental disorders, neoplastic diseases (malignant/cancer), and immune system. Other than the growth impairment section, these same impairment sections are used in adult Social Security disability determinations. Since children are unable to perform any type of work activity, Social Security has found other ways to determine what residual functions a child has. For example, if a child is school age, their performance of school work and activities is often used to evaluate what a child is able to do and if child is able to function at an age appropriate level. The simple answer to this question is that any disability may entitle a child’s SSI benefits, if the child’s impairment or impairments cause severe limitations to their ability to function. 
Social Security Disability and SSI Disability Information
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