When a disabled child receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) turns 18, significant changes occur regarding eligibility, assessments, and financial criteria. Understanding these changes can be crucial to maintaining benefits and planning for the future. This article provides an overview of the key changes and steps families need to take when a child receiving SSI benefits turns 18.
At Ascend Disability, we specialize in Social Security disability benefits and can help families manage this transition.
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal benefits program designed to provide monthly financial assistance to individuals with limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on work history, SSI is need-based, meaning eligibility depends on both income and assets.
SSI benefits are available for:
- Adults who are 65 and older
- Children and adults who are blind or disabled
SSI provides critical support to individuals who cannot work or earn enough income due to severe impairments. For recipients, maintaining eligibility often requires regular reviews to confirm they still meet the medical and financial requirements of the program.
What Happens to Disability Benefits When a Child Turns 18?
SSI benefits are intended to support children with disabilities by helping cover basic living expenses. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) applies different eligibility rules once the child reaches age 18. Approximately one-third of children lose their SSI eligibility when they turn 18.
The SSA considers whether a child’s condition imposes severe limitations on daily activities. For adults, the standard shifts to evaluating whether the disability prevents the person from performing work at any gainful level.
If the individual’s medical condition doesn’t meet the new adult criteria, SSI benefits may be terminated unless other qualifying circumstances apply.
Continuation of SSI Benefits for Full-Time Students
If the child is still attending high school full-time, benefits can continue until the child turns 19 or graduates, whichever comes first. Families must submit a statement of attendance, approved by a school official, to the SSA to extend benefits beyond the age of 18.
The SSI Redetermination Process
When the child turns 18, the SSA requires a redetermination to reassess eligibility under adult disability criteria. Notifications about the redetermination process are typically sent to families around the child’s 18th birthday.
To qualify for SSI benefits, adults must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning they cannot earn a certain income.
How to Prepare
Preparing for the age-18 redetermination process is essential to ensure continued access to benefits. Here’s what families should do:
- Gather Medical Records: Ensure all medical records are current and reflect the individual’s disability status under adult criteria.
- Attend the SSA Interview: The SSA will schedule an eligibility interview with the individual and a parent or guardian. Be prepared to discuss the individual’s condition and its impact on daily life.
- Hire a Disability Lawyer: A skilled lawyer can help families navigate the redetermination process.
What to Do If Benefits Are Denied
If the SSA denies benefits during the redetermination process, families have the right to appeal. A qualified disability attorney can guide families through the appeal process, ensuring that all medical evidence and legal arguments are properly presented.
Financial Eligibility for SSI Benefits at Age 18
One key advantage of turning 18 is that the financial requirements become less restrictive. Before 18, the SSA assesses both the child’s and their parents’ income and assets when determining eligibility. After the child turns 18, only the child’s personal income and resources are considered.
Children previously disqualified from SSI due to their parents’ income may now qualify under the adult rules. Many young adults turning 18 have limited personal income or assets, making it easier to meet the financial requirements.
Student-Earned Income Exclusion
Young adults under 22 who are attending school can exclude a certain amount of income from the SSA’s calculations.
Vocational Programs and Section 301 Benefits
Youth participating in vocational rehabilitation programs or other educational services may qualify for continued benefits under Section 301 rules. These rules allow benefits to continue even if the young adult no longer meets the strict medical criteria for SSI.
To qualify under Section 301, the following conditions must be met:
- The individual must have started participating in a program before their disability status changed.
- The program must be deemed likely to reduce the need for future disability benefits.
- Benefits will continue as long as the individual remains enrolled and participates actively in the program.
SSDI Dependent Benefits and Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Status
In some cases, children may receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits through a parent’s work record. These dependent benefits usually stop when the child turns 18. However, certain exceptions allow these benefits to continue:
- If the child remains in high school: SSDI benefits can continue until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever happens first.
- Marriage and SSDI: Typically, these benefits end if the child gets married, but in some cases, benefits may continue if both partners are disabled.
For individuals who were disabled before turning 22, Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits allow them to continue receiving SSDI benefits through a parent’s work record as long as the parent is still eligible for SSDI or retirement benefits. These benefits can continue even after the parent’s death.
Contact Our Disability Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
When a disabled child receiving SSI benefits turns 18, the shift from childhood to adult eligibility criteria introduces new challenges and opportunities. Families must navigate the redetermination process while understanding how the new financial and medical rules apply.
Navigating these changes can be overwhelming. That’s where experienced legal professionals come in. Our team at Ascend Disability can help families understand their options, prepare for the redetermination process, and appeal denied claims. With the right guidance, families can ensure that their loved ones receive the support they need as they transition into adulthood.