Disability

Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities

September 24, 2020 • By

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Last Updated: July 19, 2021

SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program helps children with qualifying disabilities and their families. For this program, a child must meet all of the following requirements to be considered disabled and medically eligible:

 

  • The child must have a medical condition, or a combination of conditions, that result in “marked and severe functional limitations.” This means that the condition(s) must very seriously limit the child’s activities.
  • The child’s condition(s) must have been disabling, or be expected to be disabling, for at least 12 months; or the condition(s) must be expected to result in death.

Compassionate Allowances are a way we quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. Thousands of children receive benefits because they have one of the conditions on the list.

A child must also meet other eligibility requirements. Since we only pay SSI to disabled people with low income and limited resources, a child, who is not blind, must not be working or earning more than $1,260 a month in 2020. A child who is blind must not be working or earning more than $2,110. This earnings amount usually changes every year. In addition, if the parents of the child or children have more resources than are allowed, then the child or children will not qualify for SSI. You can read more about children’s benefits by reading our publication, Benefits for Children with Disabilities.

Visit Parents and Guardians page to learn more about all we do to care for children. Please share these resources if you know a family or friend who needs our help.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Shanita P.

    My son has asthma real bad he have to use a breathing machine can’t run fast or he will start wheezing

  2. Harold P.

    Fuck you social security

  3. Catherine M.

    My daughter gets ssi shes 12 but they take away money from her when her dad pays support i think its a crock she should be intitled to ssi and support

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Catherine, thank you for using our blog. Because Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based program, any change in income and assets can affect benefits. For more details, check out our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Incomeweb page.

  4. Regina F.

    If a child draws ssi do they get the $500.00 or the 1200.00 on the first stimulation check on the first check or what

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Regina, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

  5. Vicki G.

    I have a 36 year old handicap daughter she disabled since birth she can’t talk ,feed her self or dress herself she can’t do anything for herself i do everything for her im her mother

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Vicki. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think she may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application.

      If you have additional questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  6. Jan H.

    I am 73 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 27. My late father had bipolar, his sister had bipolar, and her son has it also. My niece has bipolar. I could tell in her late teens that she had it.
    She has been on meds for a long time and must have worked 50 jobs before something would happen. She applied for SSI eight (8) years ago and had a court hearing several months ago and was turned down. I think it was because she did not have a “hospital record” as I did. Of course, she has been on the atypical antipsychotics and SSRI depressants, unlike me on lithium for 30 years and the old antidepressants. She lives in Gainesville, Fla. with her mother. She has no assets in her name other than an older car. She has two children, age 3 and 5, fathers unknown and no support there. She had these children when she was 37 and 39 and taking Abilify. Abilify was reported to cause excess sexuality a couple of years ago. Maybe she should have gone after the drug company. She was a Christian young lady and to get pregnant at 37????? I was a paralegal and am thinking about trying to help her refile, hoping that she might be heard by a different judge. What are your thoughts? Her name is Lana McCullars in Gainesville, FL.

    • Vonda V.

      Jan, we are sorry to hear about your niece’s disability. If she was recently denied, she may file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the decision. She can provide additional evidence when she files her appeal.

      If she needs help requesting a review, she can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact her local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.

      Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where they live; while they wait for a final determination on their disability claim. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

  7. Mary L.

    My child has been disabled since he was 2yrs he has add/ADHD ,sleeping disorder,asthma, anxiety behavior disorder he receives 860.00 monthly .His sleeping disorder has gotten worse .He sleeps 4 to 5 hours only sometime he stays up all night. By doctor’s orders I haven’t been able to work he needs to be supervised 24h 7 days a week. Recently he grow out his bed I wanted to know if disability helps me out to him getting a bed for he’s condition. And if I can apply for disability since it’s doctor’s order and I have the stay out of work.

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for your question, Mary. We do not pay caregivers. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this is helpful!

  8. Siaunofo

    Hi. I have applied for ssi but nobody has got back to me yet is there a number i can call and speak with someone? Thanks

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Siaunofo, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  9. Stacy

    I have cerbalpasy on whole left side born with it and I only get $950 dollars on ssd which is social security disability.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Stacy, thanks for using our blog. To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have “limited” income and resources. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for details.

      If you have additional questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator . The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

    • Tracy

      You should be receiving services through your county and state ,they pay for services, you should NOT receive cash at all , !

  10. BETTY G.

    i answered 3 posts above & POSTED; none show up, why?

    i gave the child’s approved list of impairment list; specifically the 105.00 section on HEPATITIS C, and another one. grrr.

    • Tracy P.

      Children with disabilities should NOT receive cash. Every thing they need is paid for from state or local government where they live ,!!!!

Comments are closed.