Parents who have a cerebral palsy child or special needs dependent can apply for and receive social security disability benefits to help the household cover expenses due to lost wages or medical care costs. The person with disabilities does not have to have any previous work history. However, one of the child's parents must be retired or receiving disability payments or be deceased. Most states also enroll the child for Medicare benefits, although this doesn't always happen immediately. With Medicare, health expenses will be significantly subsidized by the government, which is a great help to households caring for disabled individuals.

The first step to applying for social security disability benefits is to visit your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov to fill out a social security disability application and adult work history form. Once you file your initial disability insurance claim, you'll need to wait 90 to 120 days for a decision. Since there are millions of applications submitted each year and no mandated deadlines, you could feasibly wait even longer. Your claim will be reviewed to see if you fit all the qualifications. Generally speaking, for SSDI benefits, you must have worked 5 out of the last 10 years, you must fit their classification of "disabled" and you must not make more than $980/month (as of May 2009).

To determine your eligibility for social security disability benefits, the disability determination services department will look at your social security disability application form, physician treatment notes, test results, MRIs, CAT scans, x-rays and mental health records. The most weight will be given to the treating physician's notes, so you should take special care to procure good evidence statements. The best evidence statement discusses detailed symptoms, any restrictions in motion/strength and the ability to sit, stand, crouch, bend, reach or walk. The statement should also specify specific reasons why you can't work, discussing diagnosis, prognosis and functional restrictions. Only medical doctors are acceptable in SSDI benefits cases, so chiropractors and physical therapists will have little impact in determining your case.

Here are some tips to help you make it through your social security disability benefits claim process. First, don't take one rejection as a closed case. Most cases are not won until claimants appear before an administrative law judge at a hearing. Secondly, try to provide as much supporting documentation as you can. Copy your medical records and provide these with your initial application for quicker results. Respond promptly to any contact from the disability determination services department and don't be afraid to phone them for updates on your claim. Understand that if you should appeal, having representation from an attorney specializing in disability benefits law will increase your likelihood of winning the case.

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