Spina Bifida can be devastating for newborns and parents. As people with Spina Bifida age, they have to live with the Social Security . of the disease. If your was born with Spina Bifida or if your own Spina Bifida has stopped you from working, you need to consider applying for
Types of Social Security – SSDI and SSI
SSDI (Social Security Insurance) is based on the credits from the work you have done in your life. You must be found disabled before your date last insured (DLI) to be found eligible for SSDI. Your DLI is calculated by counting your “quarters of coverage” from your earnings record. You must have 20 “quarters of coverage” of the last 40 quarters. Simply put, you must have worked 5 years of the last ten years (in general). In addition, Disabled Children can be eligible for benefits off their parent’s account.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a need-based program and you must meet income/asset standards in addition to being found disabled under the five steps above. In 2021, SSI is $794.00 per month for an individual and $1,191 for an eligible couple. SSI will be reduced by 1/3 if you are receiving financial help from others. In NC, SSI recipients are also entitled to Medicaid.
SSI is also available for disabled children and is evaluated under a different standard than adults. Children must have a medically determinable physical or mental or impairments (including emotional or learning problems) which result in marked and severe functional limitations, and the (s) has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. SSI terminates when the turns 18. The claimant will then have to reapply and be evaluated under the above sequential evaluation.
Before you or your SSA’s Five Step Sequential Evaluation (for adults) or the standard of . are found eligible for SSDI or SSI, you must be found disabled under
Types of Spina Bifida
According to the Spina Bifida Association , Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling in the United States. Spina bifida, which literally means “cleft ,” is characterized by the incomplete development of the , , and/or (the protective covering around the and ). Found here .
There are four types of Spina Bifida: Occulta (mildest), closed defects, Meningocele and Myelomeningocele (most serious).
Occulta is the mildest and most common form in which one or more are malformed. The name “occulta,” which means “hidden,” indicates that a layer of skin covers the malformation, or opening in the . This form of spina bifida, present in 10-20 percent of the general population, rarely causes or .
Closed defects make up the second type of spina bifida. This form consists of a diverse group of defects in which the is marked by malformations of fat, bone, or . In most instances there are few or no ; in others the malformation causes incomplete with urinary and .
In the third type, meningocele , spinal and protrude through an abnormal vertebral opening; the malformation contains no neural elements and may or may not be covered by a layer of skin. Some individuals with meningocele may have few or no while others may experience such as complete with and .
Myelomeningocele , the fourth form, is the most severe and occurs when the /neural elements are exposed through the opening in the , resulting in partial or complete of the parts of the body below the spinal opening. The may be so severe that the affected individual is unable to walk and may have and . Via the National Institute of and Stroke
can arise from your Spina Bifida such as or tethered cord. The treatments for Spina Bifida vary on the severity of the disease. Preventing infection of the exposed nerves/tissues is the first step and during . After , , and management, shunting and management are all options. usually follows. Fetal can also be performed
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Simply being diagnosed with Spina Bifida will not automatically qualify you or your . As with all impairments under Social Security , the severity of your illness is more important than the name. for
The Social Security Administration evaluates adults with Spina Bifida under 1.04, Disorders of the . Children are evaluated under 10 1.04, Disorders of the . In addition, there may be in children that are evaluated under 111.0-Neurological-Childhood .
The inability to ambulate effectively is discussed in these listings. Do you have to use a walker or crutches to walk? If so, you may meet this listing. In my clients with Spina Bifida, and with walking or standing is a concern.
If your surrounding areas. Call us today for a free case review, (919) 615-3095 . was born with Spina Bifida, you should file for SSI as soon as possible on their behalf. If you were born with Spina Bifida and can no longer work because of your , you should file for benefits as soon as possible. The Bishop Law Firm represents clients with disability claims in Raleigh, NC and
Also read Overview of the Disability Process