Government Programs for Children With Special Needs
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 22, 2024
For parents of a child with special needs, providing the support and resources their child requires can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there is help. Let’s explore the most popular government programs available.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides payments to adults and children who have disabilities or blindness.
SSI helps families with limited income and resources support their children with mental or physical disabilities.
You can learn more on Social Security’s SSI for Children page. For more information about services and supports for SSI transition-aged youths (ages 14 to 17), visit the Youth Resources page.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
A PASS allows a person who is 15 years or older and receives SSI to set aside income and resources to meet an employment goal. Social Security must approve the plan. Funds set aside may be used for education, training, equipment (such as a vehicle or computer), and transportation. Check out the PASS page for more information.
Medicaid
In most states, a child receiving SSI also qualifies for Medicaid. In addition to health care, Medicaid may pay for residential, day, and supported employment programs. You can find the Medicaid While Working State Threshold Amounts for people with disabilities on Social Security’s website.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP provides comprehensive health coverage to people under age 19 who can’t afford private insurance but whose incomes are too high for Medicaid. The program is funded through Medicaid and other state and federal programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The TANF program provides financial assistance and related support to help families meet their basic needs. State-administered programs include child care assistance, job preparation, and work assistance. Programs are not limited to families raising a child with a disability. Eligibility requirements and monthly cash assistance vary by state.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, helps people with limited income buy nutritious food. Although SNAP is a federal program, state agencies run the program through local offices. You may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits if you meet certain income and resource requirements. SNAP is not limited to people with disabilities, but there are specific eligibility provisions for people with special needs. Check out Social Security’s blog post on how to apply for SNAP and SSI.
Need Additional Help?
There are private grants and organizations that offer support, assistance, and financial resources for children with special needs. These organizations include Autism Care Today SOS Program and the Federation for Children with Special Needs. You can find additional resources on USA.gov or contact your state health and human services department.
Please share this information with friends and family who need it – and post it on social media.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Tags: Children, Disability, General Information, Medicaid, SSI, supplemental security income
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Vanessa
I have a grandson adhd graduate from high school in special education. Want to go to college.to play football but didn’t past GPA
The school is charging him over the limit he applied for ssi again do they have! a program are solarship for adha learning disabilities
DeAnn B.
Why are people with disabilities in Florida that receive social security benefits being required to be retested after years of being diagnosed with a disability such as autism?
Rita T.
Where can I find information about an essential person for a disabled person on SSI who can live with that person and receive a monthly check for being that essential person
KimA
I have getting guardianship over my sister with Down Syndrome. Apparently she makes too much for services and it’s frustrating not knowing where or who to call.
S.D.
Hi, Kim. Thanks for reading our blog and for your comments. Social Security has two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI benefits are based on a worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that makes payments to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. To learn more about our disability programs, read our blog. Our definition of disability is the same for both programs: your sister must have a disabling condition that prevents her from doing substantial work. If her earnings from work in 2024 average more than $1,550 a month, she generally cannot be considered to have a disability. Our work incentives may help her work and get benefits. You can read about work incentives in our Red Book.
If you are unsure about your sister’s benefit status and you are her legal guardian, you can apply to become her Social Security representative payee. For more information about becoming a payee, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. To make an appointment , you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’re wondering about your sister’s eligibility for health insurance, most people who receive SSDI benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare after 24 months. People with SSI can typically get Medicaid. For information about Medicaid and other services, contact her local social services or welfare office.
For more information, visit Information for People Helping Others. We hope this helps.
John H.
Social Security Trusts’ are We The Peoples. It is Our Money. No Employee, Director or any other Govt Employee has the Right to Deny, Delay Access to Our 9 Digit Trust. Access & Availability to All. The Trustee has liability for withholding monies that should be distributed out to All Americans. Disclosure of Entire Balance & Access to the Ledger is Required under Federal Law. Social Security Administration is in violation of Federal Law. Federal Lawsuits are coming in Mass. For Willful Negligence. Social Media will be widespread. The days of 20th century discrimination are coming to an end. This is the 21st Century it does not take 4-6 months or years to Approve our Funds to be sent to us. We live in the 21st Century Fiber Optics & Information moves at the speed of light. All will be held accountable & The Supreme Court will Enable All Americans to receive their beneficial interest without restraint. Prison & Fines, Asset Distributions to the Full Extent of the Law for those who sadistically withhold our money.
JERRY M.
Please stop restricting my rights to post comments on the SS Blog. Whoever is preventing me from sending in my comments is going to be complained on to my senators and representatives. Thanks.
JERRY M.
Thank you so much for fixing my ability to make comments. This SS blog is so informative. Our Social Security Administration and SS benefits are so extremely beneficial, and necessary, I do hope we keep improving it and making the fund more stable.
I hope we can have some type of partnerships between our government and private funds setup so care and treatment can be provided that really allows disabled children to function and enjoy their lives, the best they can.
Shea
Autistic grand child.
JERRY M.
I hope we can get many more private groups to help pay for medical expensives where the expenses are too probibitive for parents to pay for. We do need to stop spending SS money and stop spending our tax money. People who have the children should know when they have children that it will be their responsibility to care for their own children.
JERRY M.
SSI money must be controlled much more strictly. Many people are abusing the system because they can well afford to take full care of their own children. Thanks for not spending our tax money.
S.D.
Hi, Shea. Thanks for reading our blog. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that provides payments to children and adults with disabilities who have limited income and resources. To be eligible for SSI, your grandchild who is younger than 18 must have a condition that very seriously limits their activities. Also, the condition must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. For more information about SSI for children with autism, read our guest blog. To find out if your grandchild might be able to get SSI, visit our Who Can Get SSI page. To schedule an appointment to apply for SSI, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.