When is a disabled child not disabled in Tennessee?

When his parents earn too much money.

The parents of a disabled 14-year-old in Newport have been told their son is no longer disabled. As a result, he’s losing his Social Security Disability and eventually his insurance from TennCare.

Isayah looks like any other boy his age, but he’s disabled. The eighth grader has faced several medical hurdles in his life, including two open-heart surgeries and three other heart surgeries. The second open-heart procedure occurred a year and a half ago.

Social Security also determined minor children’s qualifying for disability benefits not only depends on their being found medically disabled but on the parents’ income. They said Isayah’s father earned too much money in 2017. However, that notice ending Isayah’s disability was overturned by the administrative judge.

The family is now waiting to appear before a judge in Morristown.