Cerebral Palsy and SSA Disability Benefits

This post addresses Cerebral Palsy and SSA Disability Benefits. If your child has been assessed with Cerebral Palsy, read on for information on how the Social Security Administration will evaluate their claim for disability benefits.

Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common causes of chronic childhood disability. Broadly speaking, cerebral palsy impairs the ability to control body movement due to damage to the brain while in the development stage. The United Cerebral Palsy Association estimates that more than 764,000 Americans have CP. Via WebMd 

“Cerebral palsy is caused by an abnormality or disruption in brain development, usually before a child is born. In many cases, the exact trigger of this abnormality isn’t known. Factors that may lead to problems with brain development include: Random mutations in genes that control brain development; maternal infections that affect the developing fetus; fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to the developing brain; lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) related to difficult labor or delivery (rare); infant infections that cause inflammation in or around the brain or traumatic head injury to an infant from a motor vehicle accident or fall.” via Cerebral palsy Causes – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic.

Cerebral Palsy can range from mild to severe depending on your child’s degree of limitation. This can range from no limitations in their daily activities to being wheelchair bound with serious challenges in their daily lives. A diagnosis of CP alone is not enough to be found disabled. The real question is: how does your child’s CP affect their life? Every child is different, but if your child’s CP prevents them from moving about, communicating or expressing their feelings they may be found disabled.

The Social Security Administration evaluates cerebral palsy for children under 111.07. Adults are evaluated under 11.07. The child listing requires motor dysfunction as discussed in 101.02 or 111.06 OR less severe motor dysfunction AND an IQ of 70 or less or a seizure disorder or communication difficulties or a significant emotional disorder. The adult listing requires an IQ of 70 or less OR abnormal behavior patterns, problems with communication or disorganization of motor function as discussed in 11.04B.

There is support for cerebral palsy patients and their families, look here. You may also want to speak to a birth injury attorney who may be able to help you with a possible medical malpractice claim (Reiter and Walsh, P.C. handles birth injury cases nationwide and offers helpful information on their site).

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy file a claim for disability benefits as soon as possible for them. In addition, your child may be eligible to receive expedited payments, look here.

The Bishop Law Firm represents Social Security Disability clients in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Cary, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Smithfield, Louisburg, Chapel Hill, Roanoke Rapids , Garner and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call us today for a free case review, (919) 615-3095.