Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance

• The SSI program provides cash assistance to those who are disabled, have little to no income and are U.S. citizens or immigrants legally in the country. Parents or guardians must use the cash to help pay for basic needs such as clothing, food and shelter. A minor is eligible to receive SSI until the age of 18 or until the age of 22 if the minor attends school regularly. After the minor reaches the age of 18, he will need to reapply for SSI using the application for adults. The Social Security Administration states that SSDI is a "'child's' benefit because it is paid on a parent's Social Security earnings record."
  
  

The SSI and SSDI Application

• The parents or guardians of a minor must fill out an SSI application and Child Disability Report. The application and report provide the Social Security office with information regarding the minor's medical condition, dates of any hospitalizations or tests, the names and contact information of the minor's healthcare providers, proof of income and a list of the minor's prescription medications.
  
  

Social Security Disability Benefit Eligibility Requirements

• To qualify for SSI, the household in which the minor lives must meet income requirements and qualify to receive SSDI child benefits. To qualify for SSDI child benefits, a minor must not earn more than $1,000 per month. The minor must have mental and/or physical limitations that are marked and severe. The limiting condition a minor has must last, or have lasted, for a minimum of 12 month. Qualifying conditions also include those that are expected to result in death.
  
  

Special Considerations

• It can take up to six months for the Social Security Administration to review a minor's application for benefits. Some conditions, however, automatically qualify a minor to receive SSDI child benefits such as an HIV infection, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, leukemia, total deafness, total blindness, severe mental retardation and a birth weight of less than 2 pounds, 10 ounces. If a minor receives Social Security benefits payments during the time it took to review the application, and his condition does not qualify as a disability, the family does not need to repay the benefits that were paid.