The Continued Importance of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

Abstract

In 1996, as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation (Welfare Reform) Act, Congress redefined the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) definition of disability for children and removed the individual functional assessment (IFA) step from the disability determination process. As a result, an estimated 100 000 SSI child beneficiaries have lost or will lose their SSI benefits. The publicity associated with this Congressionally mandated change might also have reduced the number of families applying for SSI benefits on behalf of their children because of a widely held belief that the eligibility criteria for disability benefits are now so restrictive that almost no children are determined to be eligible. The purpose of this statement is to provide updated information about the SSI Program's disability and financial eligibility criteria and disability determination process. This statement also discusses how pediatricians can help to ensure that all eligible children receive the SSI monies and associated benefits to which they are entitled.