Is my child’s asthma covered under Social Security Disability

On Behalf of | Sep 18, 2015 | Uncategorized

There is a wide range of illnesses that can leave residents of Missouri unable to work. This inability to work, in turn, can make it extremely difficult to obtain the medical care required to remain as healthy as possible. Also, lost wages may leave individuals in a position where he or she cannot afford their rent or mortgage, utilities and even groceries. Therefore, it is critical that those suffering from one of these illnesses fully consider whether he or she qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits.

This post will focus on asthma and how it applies to children. According to the Social Security Administration, this condition must be established by medical evidence. One common form of evidence is the one-second forced expiratory volume test, also known as FEV. As it relates to asthma, you must have a FEV of 103.02 or less.

Alternatively, if you can show that your child suffers attacks despite receiving physician intervention, and those attacks occur six times a year and at least once every two months, then he or she may qualify for benefits. The final way an individual may qualify is if he or she suffers low-grade wheezing between attacks or does not have any symptom-free periods, requiring the use of bronchodiolators.

Figuring out whether a child qualifies for benefits can be difficult and confusing. It doesn’t help that many initial Social Security Disability claims are denied. However, neither of these factors should deter one from moving forward and seeking the benefits a child may be entitled.

Instead, an experienced St. Louis attorney may be able to help individuals better assess the situation and determine how best to proceed. Hopefully, individuals will be able to obtain the compensation parents and their child need to treat the disability, cover medical expenses, and, if needed, recoup the costs of long-term care.

Source: Social Security Administration, “103.00 Respiratory System – Childhood,” accessed on Sept. 13, 2015

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