Answers to your most common questions

To qualify for SSI, your child must meet two tests: a medical test and a financial test.

For the medical test, your child must have a physical or mental condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations and has lasted (or is expected to last) at least 12 months, or result in death.

For the financial test, your household income and resources must fall within SSA's limits. SSA uses a process called "deeming" to count a portion of parents' income toward your child's eligibility. Many families are surprised to find they qualify — contact us for a free eligibility check.

Advocacy Bridge represents children from birth (0) through age 17. SSI for children has different rules than adult SSI, and we specialize exclusively in the child disability process.

When your child turns 18, SSA conducts a full redetermination under adult rules — called an "age-18 redetermination." We can help prepare your family for that transition as well.

Yes. You can apply even without a formal diagnosis. What matters to SSA is that there is a medically determinable impairment — meaning a doctor, psychologist, or other medical professional has documented your child's condition.

We can help you gather whatever evidence currently exists and identify what additional evaluations might strengthen the case. Filing early also protects your back-pay start date.

Many conditions can qualify, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, ADHD (severe), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, congenital heart conditions, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, low birth weight, and many others.

The key factor is not the diagnosis itself, but how severely the condition limits your child's functioning in daily activities. We evaluate each child's situation individually.

The initial application review typically takes 3 to 6 months from the date of filing. However, processing times vary by state and SSA workload.

If your claim is denied and you need to appeal, the process can extend to 12 months or longer — particularly if an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing is required. This is why it's important to start as early as possible and to respond to any SSA requests promptly.

The Child Function Report (SSA-3375) is one of the most important documents in a child's SSI application. It's completed by a parent or caregiver and describes how the child's disability affects their daily life — things like getting dressed, eating, communicating, playing, attending school, and getting along with others.

This is your chance to paint a complete picture of your child's day-to-day challenges. Vague or incomplete answers are one of the most common reasons claims are denied. Advocacy Bridge helps you complete this form thoroughly and accurately.

A Consultative Examination (CE) is a medical appointment that SSA may schedule with an independent doctor or psychologist if they need additional information about your child's condition.

These exams are paid for by SSA. You are required to attend. Advocacy Bridge will prepare you for what to expect and advise you on how to ensure the examiner gets a complete picture of your child's limitations.

SSI applications for children cannot be completed entirely online. You typically need to call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office to start the process. An SSA representative will conduct an intake interview, usually by phone.

Advocacy Bridge can make this call on your behalf and set up the appointment, ensuring nothing important is missed at this critical first step.

SSA allows both attorneys and non-attorneys to represent claimants. A non-attorney representative is someone authorized by SSA to act on your behalf throughout the SSI process — filing paperwork, communicating with SSA, gathering records, and representing you at hearings.

We are not lawyers and do not provide legal advice. However, within the SSI process, we have the same authority to act on your behalf as an attorney would. If your case ever requires a federal court appeal, we help connect you with a qualified attorney.

Your initial consultation is always free. There is no upfront cost — ever. We only get paid if we win your child's case.

Our fee is 25% of your child's back pay, capped at $9,200 and approved by SSA as required by law. As a registered non-attorney representative, our fee is collected directly from the family upon receipt of back pay. You never pay anything out of pocket before or during your case — only after a successful award, and only from money SSA already owes your child.

If we do not win, you owe us nothing. No hidden fees. No surprises. We provide a written fee agreement before your case begins so everything is clear from day one.

Once we file our representation paperwork (Form SSA-1696), SSA communicates with us directly on your behalf. You will receive copies of all notices, but you don't have to handle the phone calls, respond to requests, or navigate the system on your own.

There may be moments — like an interview or hearing — where your presence is needed. We'll prepare you thoroughly for those situations.

Yes — absolutely. Initial denials are extremely common, even for children with serious disabilities. Many families give up after a first denial, not realizing that the appeal process often leads to approval.

Approval rates increase significantly at the hearing level when families are properly represented and have strong documentation. Do not give up after a denial. Contact Advocacy Bridge immediately — you have only 60 days to file a Reconsideration.

You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice (plus 5 additional days for mail delivery) to file each level of appeal. Missing this deadline typically means you must start the entire application process over from scratch.

Contact Advocacy Bridge as soon as you receive any denial notice — do not wait.

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing is the second level of appeal. It's a formal but non-courtroom proceeding where an SSA judge reviews your child's case. You and your representative present evidence and testimony.

Hearings can be held in person, by video, or by phone. Yes, you (the parent/guardian) will need to participate. Advocacy Bridge will fully prepare you, attend the hearing with you, and present your child's case to the judge.

The maximum federal SSI benefit changes each year. In 2025, the maximum federal SSI payment is $967 per month. However, the actual amount your child receives may be reduced based on your household income, living situation, and any other income your child receives.

Some states also add a supplemental payment on top of the federal amount. We will help you understand exactly what your child may be eligible to receive.

If your child is approved for SSI, SSA will pay benefits going back to the date you filed your application — this is called back pay. This is why filing as early as possible is so important: every month you delay is a month of potential back pay lost.

Back pay can be a significant lump sum, especially if the process took many months. SSA has rules about how back pay for children must be managed and may require it to be held in a dedicated account.

In most states, children who are approved for SSI automatically qualify for Medicaid as well. This is one of the most important secondary benefits of SSI — it provides health coverage for children with disabilities whose families may not otherwise be able to afford it.

The connection between SSI and Medicaid varies slightly by state. We can help you understand what health coverage your child may gain alongside their SSI benefits.

SSA periodically reviews your child's case through what are called Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) — typically every 1, 3, or 6 years depending on the condition. If SSA determines your child no longer meets the disability standard, benefits can stop.

Benefits also end when your child turns 18, at which point SSA conducts a full age-18 redetermination under adult SSI rules. Advocacy Bridge can help you prepare for CDRs and the age-18 transition to protect your child's ongoing benefits.