Supplemental Security Income for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Disabilities and the Role of the...

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program remains an important source of financial support for low-income families of children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities. In most states, SSI eligibility also qualifies children for the state Medicaid program, providing access to health care services. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which administers the SSI program, considers a child disabled under SSI if there is a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that results in marked and severe functional limitations. The impairment(s) must be expected to result in death or have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. The income and assets of families of children with disabilities are also considered when determining financial eligibility. When an individual with a disability becomes an adult at age 18, the SSA considers only the individual's income and assets. The SSA considers an adult disabled if there is a medically determinable impairment (or combination of impairments) that prevents substantial gainful activity for at least 12 continuous months. SSI benefits are important for youth with disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood. The purpose of this statement is to provide updated information about SSI medical and financial eligibility criteria and the disability determination process. Although pediatricians do not make the determination for SSI eligibility, this statement discusses the pediatrician's role in alerting families to the possibility of SSI support, connecting families to resources to assist in the application process, and providing timely documentation required for the application.