Disability benefits for premature babies

Oakland Tribune, Jul 21, 2006

Q: My niece recently gave birth to a baby born a few months premature. Is it true that SSI can provide financial help in caring for the baby?

A: Social Security provides SSI disability benefits to certain low-birth-weight infants, whether or not they are premature. A newborn who weighs less than 1,200 grams (about 2 pounds, 10 ounces) can qualify for SSI on the basis of low birth weight, if otherwise eligible. A child who weighs between 1,200 and 2,000 grams at birth (about 4 pounds 6 ounces) and who is considered small for his or her gestational age may also qualify. Even if a child who was born prematurely does not fall into one of the low-birth-weight categories, he or she may still qualify for SSI if he or she meets the definition of disability for children for another reason.

For more information, you can visit the Social Security Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. Or you can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the publication, Supplemental Security Income.

Q: For several years, I have been receiving monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments because of a disability. I took up pottery last year as a personal hobby, but friends tell me that some pieces are good enough to sell at a local artists' market. If I would actually sell any pottery, would that affect my SSI payments?

A: Possibly. Any money you would get for selling your artwork would probably count as income in the month you get it. However, Social Security does not count all of your income, so you could end up with more money. You should contact your local Social Security office for more information.

Questions on Social Security may be sent by regular mail to Karen J. Sims, SSA, 800 S. Claremont St., San Mateo, CA 94402, or by e- mail to ca.fo.sanmateo@ssa.gov. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; all will receive a response by mail. Inquiries are confidential, and no names will be used in the column.