Sickle Cell Disease and the Social Security Disability Evaluation Process for Children

If your child has sickle cell disease, they may be eligible for disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, or blind, or have a disability. Children younger than age 18 are eligible if they have a medical condition or combination of conditions that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. Their income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits.

In the SSI program, a child becomes an adult at age 18, and we must redetermine whether they are eligible for disability payments. We use different medical and non-medical rules when deciding if an adult can get disability payments. See our companion guide for adults, Sickle Cell Disease and the Social Security Disability Evaluation Process for Adults (Publication No. 60-003), for more information about the definition and disability evaluation process for individuals who are age 18 or older.

This publication will help parents, caregivers, and representatives of children younger than age 18 who have sickle cell disease to understand the Social Security disability evaluation process and will provide tips for helping with that process.

Read the full article here.