First, caregivers should discuss with the caseworker whether to refer children who may be eligible for SSI. If a caregiver is not sure about SSI, they should make the referral and let the organization decide if a claim is appropriate.

Second, when the contractor prepares an application, Continuing Disability Review or files an appeal, they will contact the caregiver for information about the child’s daily activities. It is important for the caregiver to cooperate in providing detailed information about the child’s condition. Remember that the person making the decision about the application does not see the child. It is vital to the process that the people who see the child most often and know the child well give accurate reports for the application package. Timely responses are important.

Adjudicators from the DHS Bureau of Disability Determination Services will contact foster parents:
• to discuss the child’s condition. Caregivers should cooperate fully with the adjudicators who are trying to decide if the child in foster care has limitations that meet the Social Security requirements for disability; and
• when there is not enough medical evidence in a child’s file, caregivers may be asked to arrange for an examination by a doctor working with the Bureau of Disability Determination Services. It is especially important that the caregivers cooperate with the doctor and the adjudicator in seeing that the child attends the examination.