Disability Benefits for Children Under SSI

SSI provides monthly payments to children with disabilities and limited financial resources.

To qualify, a child must:

• Be under 18 years old
• Have a physical or mental condition that severely limits their daily activities
• Expect the condition to last at least one year or result in death
• Live in a household that meets income and resource limits

What Counts as a Disability in Children?

The SSA has a specific Listing of Impairments for children. Some examples include:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Intellectual disabilities
• Severe asthma
• Heart conditions
• Blindness or deafness
• Mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or ADHD (when severely limiting)

You’ll need comprehensive medical records, school evaluations, and sometimes psychological assessments to prove eligibility.

When Can a Child Receive SSDI?

A child may receive SSDI benefits if:

• A parent is disabled, retired, or deceased
• That parent has worked long enough to qualify for SSDI themselves

In this case, the child receives “auxiliary benefits”—which are based on the parent’s work record.

These benefits may continue:

• Until the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school
• Indefinitely, if the child is disabled before age 22 and remains unable to work

How to Apply for Disability Benefits for a Child

• Apply in person or by phone with the SSA (you can start online but will need a follow-up appointment)
• Provide detailed medical, educational, and financial documentation
• Be prepared for an interview and possible continuing disability reviews every few years