SSI

• Disabled children receive Supplemental Security Income benefits if the disability is significant and lasting and if the family qualifies with low income and resources. SSI benefits often cover a student regularly attending school up to the age of 22, even if the student is residing at home. Social Security reevaluates SSI benefits for a child at 18 using adult standards for disability and removing the income and asset requirements of the family. After age 18, the standards apply to the assets and income of the individual as an adult.
  
  

Qualification as a Child

• A child with a disability qualifies for SSI if the parents have low income and low resources and the child meets the child definition of disability. The child must be under 18. Deeming of assets and income applies to the child who lives with his parents, is not married and is not self-supporting. If the parents do not receive SSI, the parents' assets and income apply to determine the qualification of the child. Deemed income designates part for the benefit for the child.
  
  

Qualification as an Adult

• Between 17 and 18, SSI reviews the child's status. The child must meet the definition of disability as an adult, and must qualify with low income and resources. The definition of disability changes to the adult definition of substantial gainful activity and bases benefits on the child's income. Some children who cannot collect SSI disability as children find that at 18, they can qualify for SSI. The definition of blindness is the same for both children and adults, so the blind child has the same medical standard as an adult. If the disabled individual qualifies as an adult under the substantial gainful activity guidelines and meets the income and resource guidelines, SSI benefits are available with monthly reporting and monitoring.
  
  

SSI Reporting

• An SSI recipient must report changes in income and assets to Social Security monthly. These reports can be by telephone, but the recipient must report within 10 days after the month in which the change occurs. Reporting includes changes in living circumstances as well. Young individuals may not realize the importance of reporting and may be penalized or lose SSI benefits.