Alright, alright, BACK IT UP! I know that someone is reading this title now and getting FIRED UP! But before you tell me to “Go to HE…!!” or “GET OUT MY BUSINESS” or “DON’T TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY KIDS”, slow your roll, pause and put it in reverse.
You need to understand that this country has hundreds of children who are in great need of monetary benefits in order to receive the care and attention they deserve. In addition, families who have children with various needs are tasked with a huge responsibility that many average persons can not relate. So, I don’t want anyone to think that I am slamming people who attempt to obtain Social Security benefits on behalf of their children.
However,……(and you know there is HOWEVER), several years ago, I started hearing parents refer to disability checks obtained for kids as “CRAZY CHECKS”. Now, this really throw me because I didn’t know what that meant. After some discussions, I realized that there was a perception that the best way to obtain disability benefits for kids was through an allegation that they had a mental problem, it was possible to obtain Supplemental Security Income (a program under the Social Security Administration which provides needs based financial assistance and Medicaid insurance coverage for individuals including children).
As devastated as I was when I heard this, after a period of time, I observed that it wasn’t uncommon for some parents to utilize their children as a mechanism to receive additional financial assistance. Interestingly enough, not alot of people like to talk about this because who is going to admit that they are trying to get money by using their kids.
Yes, it’s sad but it is a reality. Some people are trying to get their “hustle on” and this way is just one way to do it. However, when I speak to parents who have kids, I try my best to keep a few things in mind when they are attempting to get disability benefits for their children:
1) A DEDICATED ACCOUNT MAY KEEP YOU FROM RUNNING DIRTY! Some times, parents don’t realize that they are being analyzed when a determination of benefits has been made. In some instances, Social Security may authorize the creation of a ‘dedicated account’. A ‘dedicated account’ is an account that has very specific things that can be purchased and social security must be provided an accounting of those things. These accounts are usually set up in situations where there is concern about the parents’ handling of the money.
2) YOUR MONEY makes a DIFFERENCE! Sometimes, parents forget that SSI benefits are NEED based so they think that if they get a big bonus or settlement from some other source, they will be riding high! Unfortunately, this is NOT the case. If you get money from SSI and you get a windfall of money, your SSI may be temporarily suspended until you spend the money down.
3) IF YOUR CHILD is REALLY SICK, treat them that way! Every now and then, I get a few parents who get the high pro glow because they think that once their child gets SSI benefits, they don’t need to do anything else. Most of my parents who have kids, genuinely want to make sure that they keep getting the treatment and attention they need. Remember, your child may get evaluated in the future by SSA.
4) ONE for ALL and ALL FOR ONE! NOT! Please don’t think that just because ONE of your kids got disability, that all of them can get it for the same thing.
5) 18 and OUT THE DOOR! Remember, in most cases, when the child reaches the age of 18, the child can now apply for SSI benefits as an adult (which means the parents no longer can control the money).
Like I said, I’m not trying to say that ALL parents run dirty. I’ve represented hundreds of parents who’s kids genuinely need help and the parents are struggling to do the right thing. However, it’s important that parents understand that their child is not a ‘pot of gold’ at the end of rainbow.
