Social Security Disability Benefits for Failure to Thrive

When someone suffers from a disability or condition, Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can really help. However, it’s not just the person who suffers from the disability who’s impacted. Family and loved ones of the individual with the disability also commonly struggle with financial assistance. Medical bills and other expenses related to the disability can begin to pile up and overwhelm. That’s where SSD benefits can make all the difference.

What If You’re Born Disabled?

Due to the fact that many people are born disabled, the Social Security Administration (SSA), which governs SSD, has set any age requirement to qualify to receive benefits. Minors with disabilities can qualify to receive benefits until they become a legal adult at the age of 18. After they have reached the age of 18, their case will be re-evaluated to see if they are still entitled to their current level of assistance.

Failure to Thrive and SSD Benefits

You don’t always know if there is an issue with them when a baby is born. That’s because sometimes disability takes time to present itself. One such example is the failure to thrive. The SSA has listed the requirements for benefits concerning failure to thrive. They are located in its Blue Book (section 100.05).

In order for a child to be labeled as failure to thrive, he or she must have a developmental delay.

Fails to Place in Bottom-Third Percentile

For someone to be labeled as failure to thrive, the baby (up to the age of two) must fail to end up in the bottom-third percentile in weight for length at least three times within 23 months. Each failure must also be a minimum of 60 days apart.

In order to be considered for SSD benefits under failure to thrive, a child must have one of the following:

• Two documented developmental delays (at least 120 days apart); or
• One documented developmental delay that consistently indicates development at below two-thirds of their age-appropriate level.

The Las Vegas SSD Attorneys at Roeschke Law, LLC Can Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with a disability that prevents you from working, you may not know how to proceed. Fortunately, the attorneys at Roeschke Law, LLC can help. We understand the impact that a disability can have on your physical, emotional, and financial health. That’s why it’s our mission to help you. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!