SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS for CHILDREN:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

by Linda Ershow-Levenberg
February 2008

In certain circumstances, the disabled child cannot obtain Social Security Disability child's benefits on the earnings record of an insured individual, because required criteria are not met.

If the child himself (if over 18) or the person on whom the child is dependent (if under 18) meets the stringent financial criteria of the SSI rules, the child can become eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits, or SSI. As a result of eligibility for SSI, the claimant will receive Medicaid benefits for health coverage. The child cannot have more than $2,000 in countable, available resources in his or her name.

The criteria for proving Disability are the same as those outlined in the previous page.

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