Click here to download Special Kids Connect's guide to SSI for Children

What is SSI?

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. SSI provides minimum basic financial assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities (regardless of age) with very limited income and resources. To be considered, an individual must have a social security number and be blind, disabled or age 65 or older.

The eligibility criteria for children under age 18 is different than for adults.  Adults qualify for SSI if their disabilities keep them from working.  Because children are not expected to work, their eligibility is determined in other ways:

• Age - The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a child as anyone under the age of 18.  The child must have a social security number.
• Disability - A beneficiary must have "a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or impairments which result in marked and severe functional limitations" which must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 month or to result in death. 
• Income & Resources - The income and resources of the parents, adoptive parents, and stepparents who live with the child must be "limited" as defined by the Social Security Administration.  

Before you apply...

Consider the eligibility requirements for family income and resources.  SSI is intended to help those with very limited income and resources.  If you exceed the income or resource limits, the Social Security Administration will not consider your child's disability at all.  Learn about resource limits by visiting www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm.  Income limits are updated annually and can be found in a chart at the bottom of the Social Security Administration's SSI for Children webpage at www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm.  [Note: The income limits on this chart are for guidance, only.  If you exceed these numbers by a small amount, call the local SSA office to confirm income eligibility.]

If you believe you meet the income and resource limits, take the next steps.

1. Gather the information required by the SSA for your application.  This information can be found on SSA's Checklist for Child Disability Interview and SSA's Medical & School Worksheet.
2. Complete the Child Disability Report online.  Online is the preferred application method.  You may also submit a paper version by downloading a Child Disability Report (PDF) for printing. 
3. Call the local SSA office to schedule an interview.  Click here to find the SSA office for your area.  Note: The online form indicates SSA will reach out to you, once you have submitted the form.  Do not rely on SSA to call you. Call them, yourself! 
4. After the interview is scheduled with the Social Security Administration (SSA), prepare yourself with the answers to the Child Function Report that corresponds with your child's age.  (See below.) Note: These questions must be answered by the parent.  They are not to be answered by a therapist, doctor, or other professional.  

At the conclusion of your interview, the Social Security Administration caseworker will provide you with directions on next steps.  They will likely include the need for you to provide an original or certified copy of your child's birth certificate, your driver's license, and copies of your child's IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan), IPP (Individual Program Plan), and/or IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  Any time documents are provided to SSA, include your child's social security number on each, so they are properly attached to your child's case.