Children who are disabled or blind qualify for Supplemental Security Income payments until they reach the age of 18. Here is what you need to know about qualifying your disabled child for SSI benefits.

Your child qualifies for SSI payments if they meet the disability requirements outlined by Social Security for adults, and your household income falls within the income and resource requirements. There are also citizenship requirements your child must meet; for the most part your child must be a US citizen to get SSI. There are special categories for certain non-citizens to receive SSI; if your child is not a US citizen you may be approved for benefits if your child were admitted to the United States as refugee.

The adult disability requirements that your child must meet are simply that your child has a disability that is expected to last for twelve months or longer and prevents them from doing substantial work. Social Security defines “substantial work” as anything earning over $860 pre-tax, per month.

There are also income and resource requirements for the parents of the disabled child. Income requirements vary by State; however, if the parents have more than $2,000 in the bank the child will not be eligible to receive SSI benefits. To apply for SSI benefits for your child you will have to schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office; before you schedule an appointment you should visit the website Social Security Laid Bare to learn more about Supplemental Security Income benefits for your child.

Jack Burton specializes in helping people understand Social Security programs for Retirement, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Disability Benefits. The website Social Security Laid Bare presents information on all of Social Security’s programs in an easy to read format, without technical jargon. For more information visit Social Security Laid Bare: