First things first --- do you (your child) have a disability or not? Funny as it sounds, whether you have a disability isn't a yes or no answer. The Americans with Disabilities Act says that a disability "must substantially limit a major life activity." Most people agree that if you have trouble walking, talking, seeing, or hearing, that is a disability. If you have trouble with taking care of yourself - dressing, eating, keeping track of your own money and paying for things yourself, that can qualify as a disability. If you have difficulty reading and writing, which interferes with your ability to get a job, that can be a disability. For Social Security to get disability income payments you must not be able to do the work you did before and not be able to do other work. AND it is expected that you will continue to be unable to work for at least a year or that you will die. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This is a cash benefit to persons with disabilities. It is around $550 per month, but is different across states. There is a cost of living increase each year. The individual must qualify based on both disability and income. To be eligible, a child must have a "marked and severe" functional limitation from a physical or mental condition. While children may qualify due to disability, it is possible they may not get benefits, or get lower benefits, if the parents have a high income or substantial property. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) This is a cash benefit to disabled workers and sometimes their dependent children. The amount depends on how long the worker paid into the social security system. Apply for SSI or SSDI - At your local Social Security Administration office. You can call the Social Security office Monday through Friday, toll-free from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Central Time) at 1-800-772-1213. Individuals who are hearing impaired and need a TTY machine should call 1-800-325-0778. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) provides cash benefits to families with dependent children. Eligibility is based on income, not disability. TANF rules differ by state. Disability and TANF work requirements (this is a little tricky so please read carefully). 1. Parents receiving TANF are required to work or receive education or training. 2. TANF cannot refuse assistance based on the refusal of an individual to work if the individual is a single parent caring for a child under the age of six, and there is no appropriate child care available within a reasonable distance from the parent's home. 3. IF THE CHILD HAS A DISABILITY there are 14 states that provide assistance to single, non-working parents of a child under eighteen if reasonable child care cannot be found. North Dakota is NOT one of those states that exempt for time limits when a child has a disability. Click here for the list of 14 states. 4. There are 37 states, including North Dakota allow non-compliance with the work requirement for "good cause". These states MAY allow a a waiver for parents of a child with a disability accepting this as a good cause. For some of these states, including North and South Dakota, we could find no stated policy that this will always be accepted as "good cause". If you are receiving TANF, please ask your caseworker about an exemption if you feel you need one. Click here for the list of the 37 states. Apply for TANF at your local social services office. Medicaid provides free health care programs to children and adults.In North Dakota, you must apply for SSI and Medicaid separately. You can find information about applying for Medicaid at all County Social Services offices. Healthy Steps is a North Dakota program that provides health care coverage for children 18 and under from families who do not qualify for Medicaid. For a much more extensive reference on resources for families of persons with disabilities, you can click here to download the 110-page resource guide generously provided by the University of North Dakota. Here you will find information on every imaginable service from child care for children with disabilities to payment for specialty health care to senior companions.This guide focuses on North Dakota but also includes some national organizations. Contact information (phone, address, and email) is included for North Dakota offices. SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Disability Services Division
Individuals can access these services through developmental disabilities or vocational rehabilitation specialists located at the regional human service centers. Caring for yourself
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