SSI provides crucial support for children with disabilities, helping families cover the extra costs of caring for children with serious medical conditions. Understanding how childhood SSI works helps families access benefits their children may need.

Childhood Disability Standard

Children under 18 qualify for SSI if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in "marked and severe functional limitations" AND the impairment has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

The "substantial gainful activity" standard used for adults doesn't apply to children—instead, SSA evaluates functional limitations.

Functional Assessment

SSA evaluates how the child's impairment affects six domains of functioning: acquiring and using information, attending and completing tasks, interacting and relating with others, moving about and manipulating objects, caring for self, and health and physical well-being.

Marked limitation in two domains or extreme limitation in one domain generally qualifies the child as disabled.

Listings of Impairments

Some conditions automatically qualify children without detailed functional assessment. SSA maintains listings of childhood impairments that are presumptively disabling—conditions like certain cancers, major organ dysfunction, severe intellectual disability, and others.

If your child's condition meets or equals a listing, they qualify without further functional evaluation.

Financial Eligibility

Parents' income and resources are "deemed" to the child. Even if a child personally has no income, parental income above certain thresholds can disqualify the child. Deeming rules are complex and include exclusions for other children in the household and certain parental expenses.

Low-income families are most likely to qualify. However, even moderate-income families may qualify if they have multiple children or qualifying expenses.

Benefit Amounts

Children receive the standard SSI benefit rate (possibly with state supplements), reduced by any countable deemed income. The child's benefit goes to a representative payee—usually a parent—who must use it for the child's needs.

Application Process

Apply at your local Social Security office. Bring complete medical records documenting your child's condition, treatments, and functional limitations. Educational records, therapy reports, and teacher observations can also support claims.

SSA will often contact your child's doctors and schools for additional information. Respond promptly to requests.

Representative Payees

A representative payee receives and manages SSI benefits on behalf of the child. Payees must use benefits for the child's current needs—food, clothing, shelter, medical care, personal items, and rehabilitation. Keep records of how benefits are spent.

Continuing Disability Reviews

SSA periodically reviews whether children remain eligible. Reviews assess whether the medical condition has improved and whether the child still meets disability criteria. Maintain ongoing medical treatment and documentation.

Age 18 Redetermination

When children on SSI turn 18, SSA redetermines eligibility using adult disability standards. Some children who qualified as children lose eligibility under adult standards. This transition can be challenging—plan ahead.

The redetermination also stops parental deeming—only the now-adult's own income and resources count.

Medicaid Connection

Children receiving SSI automatically qualify for Medicaid in most states. This provides health coverage crucial for children with disabilities who often need extensive medical care.

School-Related Issues

Schools must accommodate children with disabilities under special education laws. SSI eligibility doesn't automatically qualify children for special education, but the conditions supporting SSI claims often also support IEPs (Individualized Education Programs).

Getting Legal Help

Disability attorneys and legal aid organizations help families with childhood SSI applications and appeals. They understand how to document functional limitations and navigate the deeming rules. Many work on contingency for SSI claims.