Supplemental Security Income for Children and Youth With Disabilities

Nearly 1 million children who have disabilities and limited income and resources receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) every month. That's money that helps pay for basic needs like food, rent, clothing, and medicine.

The maximum federal SSI payment in 2024 is $943 a month. The amount may be lower based on a child's income and living arrangements, parents' income, and other factors. A child who is eligible for SSI is typically eligible for health coverage through Medicaid.

To get SSI, a child must meet non-medical and medical requirements.

Non-medical requirements for a minor child

We consider a child's income and resources to determine if they are eligible for SSI. We also count the income and resources of the child's parents (including a stepparent) if they live in the same household. The process of determining how much of the parents' income and resources we count is called "deeming". We do not consider the income and resources of other family members.

If a child meets our non-medical requirements, then we will review our medical requirements to decide if the child has a disability.

Medical requirements for a minor child

To be medically eligible for SSI a child younger than age 18 must have a medical condition that:

• Results in "marked and severe functional limitations".
• Is expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death.

Compassionate Allowances are a way we quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet our standards for disability benefits. Thousands of children receive SSI payments because they have a condition on the list.

What happens when a child turns 18

If a child receives SSI when they turn 18, we will contact them by mail about their age-18 redetermination. We must make a new medical decision to determine if they are eligible for SSI as an adult. They must have a condition(s) that is expected to prevent them from doing "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) for at least 12 months or to result in death.

To be eligible for disability benefits, a person generally must earn less than a certain amount each month. The SGA earnings amounts increase each year. Under the SSI program, the SGA amount in 2024 is $1550 a month.

If a child wasn't eligible for SSI before their 18th birthday, they may be able to get SSI after age 18. That's because we only count their income and resources, not their parents.

Visit our SSI page to learn more about our eligibility requirements and to start the application process.

Special rules for children in foster care

Youth who live in foster care who are blind or have a qualifying disability can start the SSI application process before their 18^th birthday. They can contact us 180 days before their foster care eligibility will end due to age. For specific requirements, read our Spotlight on SSI Benefits for youth with disabilities in foster care.

Resources for transition-aged youth

We offer many resources at our Youth page to connect young people with disabilities to important information about education, career, and life goals. To learn more about supports for youth transition, read the publications in our updated Youth Toolkit 2024.

Please share this information with families or friends who need our help.

Tags:equity, SSI, supplemental security income