Yes – SSI disability benefits are available to blind and disabled children who are under 18 (or under age 22 and a student regularly attending school, college, or training that is designed to prepare him/her for a paying job).   A child can be eligible to receive SSI disability benefits if:

• the child’s family has  limited income and resources; AND
• the child has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that causes marked and severe functional limitation(s) which
  • can be expected to result in death, OR
  • can be expected to last continuously for 12 months or more,

When determining financial eligibility for children whose parents aren’t already receiving SSI, a parents’ income and resources are presumed to be available to the child (a process called “deeming”).  A step-parent’s income and resources also may be “deemed” available to a child who lives with both a natural or adoptive parent and the stepparent.    When deeming income and resources, SSA does make living allowance deductions for the parent(s) and for other children living in the home.

Just before a disabled child turns 18, SSA re-determines their eligibility under the adult disability standard.   If they are found to be disabled under this standard, they will continue to receive SSI benefits.  If their parent dies, retires, or becomes disabled, the “child” also may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits on their parent’s Social Security earnings record.