By Claudia Inés Pringles
Did you know that your son or your daughter with a disability may be eligible for SSI at age 18 even if they weren’t eligible before?
But my child still lives at home…
Once an individual with a disability turns 18, the income and resources of parents are no longer counted, even if the individual is living at home. At all times, however, the individual’s own income and resources are taken into consideration and must be at poverty level to qualify. The individual would also need to have a disability determination to be eligible.
Children under 18 may also be eligible for SSI provided they are disabled and the family income and resources are low. Children under 18 who are currently receiving SSI must reapply as adults to continue receiving benefits as the disability determination rules differ for adults.
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly cash benefit for people with disabilities who have little to no income or resources.
SSI should not be confused with SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). SSI is a means-tested government program: it provides benefits to those whose income and financial resources meet certain requirements.
On the other hand, SSDI is an entitlement: the benefit is based on whether funds were paid into the system. Individuals with disabilities receive SSDI through their parents’ work record in certain circumstances or if they have enough work credits through their own work record . Both SSI and SSDI programs require a finding that the individual has a disability under Social Security Rules.
Why is SSI important?
SSI is important for your son or daughter with a disability for two reasons. The most obvious is the cash benefit that your son or daughter could receive per month, the purpose of which is to provide cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The maximum cash benefit actually paid could be less for several reasons, including income, gifts or free room and board.
For many, SSI is also important because it is an automatic gateway to Medicaid. This is true even if an individual receives less than the maximum amount of SSI. It is important to note that other Vermont Medicaid programs that your child may currently be on, including Dr. Dynasaur and Katie Beckett Waiver, end by the time the individual is 18 or 19, respectively.
For more information on SSI and other gateways to Medicaid, please see Vermont Family Network’s Health Care Financing for Your Child with Special Needs: Six Ways to Access Medicaid & Other Health Care Benefits.
This blog post was written by Claudia Inés Pringles, Developmental Disabilities Specialist for Vermont Family Network and a parent of a daughter on the autism spectrum. She can be contacted at Claudia.Pringles@vtfn.org or at 802-917-2475.
Developmental Disabilities Information, Referral and Assistance is sponsored by a grant from the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council. Contact VFN at 1-800-800-4005 for any questions regarding developmental disabilities.
