SSI is Critical for Children with Developmental and Behavioral Disabilities
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 22, 2021
Social Security has a disability program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that can provide monthly income support for lower-income families who care for children with developmental and behavioral disabilities, as well as physical impairments. Children with developmental disabilities like autism and intellectual disability, as well as other behavioral health impairments like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, may qualify for SSI.
Families of children with disabilities often have higher out-of-pocket costs and additional demands on their time. This can lead to more financial instability. Children with disabilities may be in diapers for a longer period, they may need behavioral incentives to learn new skills, or they may require specialized equipment not covered by insurance. Monthly SSI payments help reduce the struggles families experience and provide the financial support their children need.
SSI can enable a child’s access to health insurance. In most states, people receiving SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid covers essential long-term services and support that is typically unavailable through private insurance. Services like personal and home care assistance help ensure children can continue to receive care. In addition to medical services, Medicaid can also cover eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, lifts, and supportive housing services. The home modifications and equipment allow family members to care for children at home.
SSI plays a critical role for children with disabilities and their families by providing needed financial support and access to Medicaid. For more information, please read the SSI Eligibility for Children page and review the SSI Child Disability Starter Kit. Please share this information with your friends and family—and post it on social media.
SSA’s posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-SSA organization or author.
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Tags: Children, Medicaid, People Facing Barriers, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jane Y.
Very nice article, I found it explanatory and informative, thank you!
regards
Jane Y.
Joe G.
My son with down syndrome lives with me 70 percent of the time and 30 percent with his mother. She is the representative payee for his SSI money. He is 12 years old . She uses his money for his needs at her house only and none of it goes toward any living expenses or needs got him at my house. Is this ok for her to do, it doesn’t seem Fair.
A.C.
Hi, Joe. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Pamela H.
Why do they punching us when we get married and what about adults that have bipolar disorder that is already on disability
Linda D.
Is there a problem with the social security online they cannot send me my code via text so I can access
A.C.
Hi, Linda. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Crystal S.
How can I get a stimulus payment for a child that lived with me? I didn’t have his SS # and still don’t it seems to be a unending issue. all the SS offices are closed. he was born 2019 he wasn’t on my taxes for 2019 or 2020 because I didn’t have the number.
A.C.
Hi, Crystal. Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations. We are unable to accept walk-in visitors. If you feel you have a critical situation, please visit here for more information. Keep in mind, the IRS, not Social Security, sends all economic impact payments. Unfortunately, our telephone representatives and social media team cannot answer your specific situation about payments. You can find the latest information available from the IRS website. If you don’t see the answer to your question, you can call the IRS’ payment hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Sandra R.
Hi, my son and I just relocated from California. He has Autism and has a balance of SSI. How do we start to repay and see if he now qualifies for SSI?
A.C.
Hi, Sandra. For your son’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Robert T.
Extra income – paid surveys.
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James
Hi. I have 2 general questions.
1. If we create an online social security account, does it show things like CDR reviews that have been sent out by mail? I ask because mail delivery in my building is not the best, and I’m concerned I could miss a review.
2. I recall reading that CDR reviews and other things were put on hold a while back when pandemic started. Are CDRs now being done and if so, are they delayed do to the earlier stoppage?
Thanks in advance for your help with my questions.
A.C.
Hi, James. Thanks for your questions. Individuals and representative payees with a my Social Security account can opt out of receiving notices by mail that are available online via the Message Center, including the Social Security annual cost-of-living adjustment and the income-related monthly adjustment amount benefit rate increase. Continuing Disability Review (CDR) notices are not available online yet. Also, we are currently conducting Continuing Disability Reviews. For more information and to subscribe for updates, please visit here. We hope this helps.
James
Thank you Ann C.
Appreciate it.
Sharon V.
I need new social security cards for my daughter’s how do I do that online
A.C.
Hi, Sharon. Thanks for your question. Generally, when applying for a replacement Social Security card for a child under the age of 18, we consider the parent(s) or step-parent with custody, as the proper applicant. Remember that knowing their numbers is what is important. You will rarely need to show their cards, but if you need information on how to obtain a replacement Social Security card, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. You will need to present documents proving your identity, your children’s identities and citizenship status (if not already established), and evidence of your relationship to, or responsibility for, your children. Keep in mind the submitted documents must be originals. You can use birth certificates to prove your children’s age or citizenship; however, you cannot use it as proof of identity. We hope this helps.
Selena B.
Hi I was trying to find out what I have to do about the stimulus that my daughter was supposed to get
A.C.
Hi, Selena. The IRS, not Social Security, sends all economic impact payments. Unfortunately, our telephone representatives and social media team cannot answer your specific situation about payments. You can find the latest information available from the IRS website. If you don’t see the answer to your question, you can call the IRS’ payment hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Carl H.
I need ssi benefits please
V.V.
Hi Carl, thanks for using our blog. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) gives cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children with disabilities can get SSI, too. To find out who qualifies and how to apply, go to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits web page. We hope this is helpful!