*(see definition of child below) 

SSI for children (2025): https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm

Basic Info: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.  This is NOT the same as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI.)  For more information about the difference, please see SSI vs. SSDI: The Differences, Benefits, and How to Apply  

Info about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a school aged child: 

What does the Social Security office define as a “child”? 

A Child:

·         is under age 18; or

·         is under age 22 and is a student regularly attending school (as determined by Social Security).

·         Cannot be married or “head of household”

What does the Social Security office define as a “Disabled” or “blind” child?

·         the child has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or impairments which result in marked and severe functional limitations; and

·         The impairment(s) has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or be expected to result in death; or

·         If the child is blind, he or she meets the same definition of “blind” as applies for adults. See WHAT IS "BLINDNESS" FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD?. Unlike the requirement for SSI disability benefits, there is no duration requirement for SSI blindness benefits.

Does the Social Security office factor in family income for eligibility? 

The SS office uses a formula for “Deeming of income” or sometimes called “Deeming.” It factors in parents/ step-parents income that live in the home, number of people living in the home, and resources. 

To see chart for “DEEMING ELIGIBILITY CHART FOR CHILDREN FOR 2024”

Deeming stops the month after a child turns age 18. Therefore, a child who could not receive SSI because of deeming may be able to get SSI when he or she turns age 18.

For more information about Social Security Income, please go here: Understanding Social Security

The disability community fought long and hard to change this.

A STABLE account is a way to save for qualified expenses, invest for future needs, and keep the benefits you rely on every day.

• Your child’s school district must create a transition plan for your child,

Section 5 of the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• Your child’s school district will collect information about your child through age-appropriate

transition assessments (AATA). This information includes your child’s preferences, interests, needs,

and strengths – this information is sometimes referred to as PINS.

• Your child’s school district must use the information gathered through the AATA process to create

the transition plan. Your child’s transition plan will include information about the following:

- transition services,

- course(s) of study,

- postsecondary goals related to training and education

- postsecondary goals related to independent living skills (if appropriate), and

- postsecondary goals related to competitive integrated employment.

https://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/exploring-the-life-domains/daily-life-and-employment/

https://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/exploring-the-life-domains/daily-life-and-employment/

https://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/exploring-the-life-domains/daily-life-and-employment/

Disability Rights Ohio creates a useful resource to introduce this topic.

A Student Success Plan is a student-focused process for supporting students and their families in

understanding the academic requirements for achieving a career goal. If your child is at risk of dropping

out of school, your child’s school district is required to create a Student Success Plan for them.

• Before the school district creates the Student Success Plan, they must invite you to a meeting to

assist in developing the plan. The school district must also share your child’s Student Success Plan

with you after it is developed.