100. How do I know if my child is eligible for Social Security benefits/Medicaid?

Social Security does provide benefits for children with disabilities. Your child may be eligible for Social Security (SSI) benefits because of a low birth weight or ongoing medical issues. If you have questions, contact the social worker on staff at the hospital where your multiples were born. In most cases, they can help you with the application process. SSI benefits are not retroactive to a date of birth, so the sooner you apply the sooner benefits can begin. Not all of your multiples may qualify for these benefits. Each baby is treated as an individual and most qualify initially because of low birth weight or ongoing medical issues. If your child is eligible for SSI benefits, they are also eligible for Medicaid, which provides medical care.

For detailed information about SSI benefits visit the Social Security Administration website, and click on the section for “Disability and SSI”.

The SSA website also has a publication that you can request called “Benefits for Children with Disabilities.” For information about Medicaid, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.

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Copyright MOST 2005      Updated 10/3/06