SSI for children and adults

SSI and SSDI are often mentioned together, but they are different programs with different rules. SSI is the needs-based program. It can help children and adults who have limited income and resources, whether or not they have a work history. This guide explains the basics and the difference between the two programs. It is general information, not legal advice.

What SSI is

Supplemental Security Income is a federal program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. It is paid from general tax revenue. It is not the same as Social Security retirement or SSDI, and it does not require work credits.

Because SSI is needs-based, the application looks at more than medical evidence. It also looks at who lives in the home, what income comes in, what resources the household has and who pays for food and housing.

SSI versus SSDI

	SSDI	SSI
Based on	Work history and payroll taxes	Financial need
Work credits	Required for adults	Not required
Children	Dependent benefits on a parent’s record	Own benefit based on the child’s condition and household income
Income and resources	Generally not a factor	Central to eligibility
Health coverage	Medicare after a waiting period	Medicaid in most states
Payment amount	Based on the earnings record	Federal benefit rate, reduced by countable income, plus any state supplement

Some people qualify for both. Social Security calls this concurrent eligibility, and the SSDI payment can affect the SSI amount.

SSI for adults

An adult can qualify by being 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and by having limited income and resources. The disability standard for adults is generally the same as the SSDI standard: a condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death, and that prevents substantial gainful activity.

There is no work-credit requirement, but work still matters. Earnings count as income, and the amount can reduce or stop a payment. Social Security also has work incentives that can help someone try working without losing eligibility immediately.

Resources are things like cash, bank accounts, investments and some property. Not everything counts, and there are exclusions for a home, a vehicle and other essentials. Social Security publishes the current limits because they can change.

SSI for children

A child under 18 may qualify if the child has a medically determinable condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations and is expected to last at least 12 months or to result in death. The child’s functioning is compared with children of the same age at home, at school and in the community.

The household’s income and resources also count. That means two children with the same diagnosis can have different outcomes because their families have different finances. A parent or guardian usually applies on the child’s behalf.

For children, the strongest file usually combines medical care, school information and a clear description of daily life. An IEP or 504 plan can be useful evidence, and so can teacher observations. Our guide to IEP and 504 plans explains how school evaluations work.

What to gather before you apply

• Social Security numbers and identification for the applicant and household members
• Current income, including wages, self-employment, benefits and help with living costs
• Bank accounts, investments, vehicles and other resources
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, therapists, hospitals and clinics
• Dates of visits, diagnoses, medications and side effects
• School records, IEP or 504 plans and teacher observations for a child
• Any private testing, evaluation reports or provider letters

Keep copies of what you send. If information changes after you apply, report it promptly.

How to apply

Start at ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local Social Security office. A parent or guardian usually applies for a child. The application is free.

Be cautious with anyone who charges a fee simply to submit an application. Attorneys and accredited representatives usually charge only if benefits are approved, and their fees are regulated.

If you are denied

There are several appeal levels and each has a deadline. Read the denial notice carefully. Many people request their file, add missing records and ask for help from a disability attorney or an accredited representative.

A denial is not the end of the process, but missing a deadline can be. If you are unsure what step comes next, call Social Security or legal aid before the deadline passes.

Where an evaluation fits

A comprehensive evaluation can describe how a person thinks, learns, manages daily tasks and responds to stress. That kind of report can be useful when the record needs a clear picture of functioning, especially when school or work records are thin.

An evaluation is not a shortcut. Social Security makes its own decision, and a report does not guarantee approval. What a good report can do is give the reviewer specific evidence: test results, observations, history and practical recommendations.

A note about our role

Fair Winds provides assessment and counseling, not legal representation. We can share records and, when appropriate, complete forms or letters that describe treatment and functioning. Disability paperwork is billed separately from testing and counseling. Call 817-735-4165 to ask what we can provide for your situation.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For help with a specific claim, contact Social Security or a qualified disability attorney or accredited representative.

Questions and answers

SSI basics

What is SSI?+

Supplemental Security Income is a federal needs-based program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. It is funded by general tax revenue, not by the Social Security payroll tax.

How is SSI different from SSDI?+

SSDI requires a qualifying work history. SSI does not. SSI looks at financial need, including income, resources and living arrangements. Some people receive both benefits at the same time.

Does SSI require a work history?+

No. SSI is not based on work credits. An adult still has to meet the disability standard, or be 65 or older, and must have limited income and resources.

Can I get SSI and SSDI at the same time?+

Yes, in some situations. Social Security calls this concurrent eligibility. The SSDI payment may reduce the SSI payment, and the rules depend on the amounts and household circumstances.

Adults

How does an adult qualify for SSI?+

An adult must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and must have limited income and resources. The disability standard for adults is generally the same as for SSDI, but there is no work-credit requirement.

What counts as income and resources?+

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, some benefits and help with living costs. Resources include cash, bank accounts, investments and some property. Not everything counts, and there are exclusions. Social Security publishes the current limits and rules.

Does SSI come with health coverage?+

In most states, SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid. In Texas, SSI recipients generally qualify. Rules and any state supplement vary, so confirm with Social Security and your state Medicaid office.

Children

Can a child get SSI?+

Yes. A child under 18 may qualify if the child has a medically determinable condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations and is expected to last at least 12 months or to result in death. The household's income and resources also count.

How is the child standard different from the adult standard?+

Adults are evaluated on ability to work. Children are evaluated on functioning at home, at school and in the community compared with children of the same age. The child standard is sometimes described as marked and severe functional limitations.

What records help a child's SSI claim?+

Medical records, therapy notes, school records, IEP or 504 plans, teacher observations and a clear description of daily functioning are all useful. Report the household's income and resources accurately.

Applying

How do I apply for SSI?+

You can start at ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local Social Security office. A parent or guardian usually applies for a child. Gather identification, income and resource information, and the names of all treatment providers.

What happens if I am denied?+

There are appeal levels and deadlines. Read the notice, respond on time and consider asking for help from a disability attorney or an accredited representative. Many initial claims are denied, and appeals are a normal part of the process.

Can Fair Winds help with SSI paperwork?+

We can provide evaluation records and, when appropriate, forms or letters describing functioning and treatment. Disability paperwork is a separate service with a fee, and we do not guarantee an outcome. Call our office to ask what we can provide.