MY CHILD RECEIVES SSI AND IS ABOUT TO TURN 18 YEARS OLD. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

If you have a child who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and is about to turn eighteen (18) years old, it is very important to be aware of what actions or steps are needed to maintain your child’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) utilizes a different test and different eligibility requirements for individuals who turn eighteen (18) years of age, it is not the same as eligibility for children.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will have to review your child’s eligibility under the disability rules for adults as well as nonmedical eligibility guidelines. The Social Security Administration (SSA) terms this specific review as age 18 re-determination. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), “Historically, about one-third of children lose their SSI (Supplemental Security Income) eligibility following the age-18 redetermination.”

During the process of review the Social Security Administration (SSA) will request specific information and documentation which may include medications, hospital stays, doctor visits, work activity, and other information to determine eligibility. It is important to note that the age 18 re-determination only applies to those youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit prior to the age of eighteen (18).

In order to prepare for the re-determination process for your child, it is important to familiarize and educate yourself with the difference of eligibility requirements for an adult versus a child, what the age 18 re-determination entails, start preparing for the re-determination when your child is the age of seventeen (17), know how the appeal process works if an appeal is needed, ask about other support programs or work incentives for your child.  

This can be a complicated process, so the best recommendations are to speak to a representative at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office, read the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) pamphlet, “What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18,” and or meet with a Special Needs Planner.

POMS DI 11070.000 Title XVI Childhood and Age 18 Disability Redetermination Cases (Public Law 104-193 as Modified by P.L. 105-33) FO – Subchapter Table of Contents https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411070000

POMS DI 23570.000 Title XVI Childhood and Age 18 Disability Redetermination Cases (Public Law (P.L.) 104-193 as Modified by P.L. 105-33) – DDS – Subchapter Table of Contents https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423570000

POMS DI 11070.030 Disability Redeterminations – Age 18 Cases  https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411070030