During the holiday season, most of us, regardless of our beliefs, focus on the children we love. Children are our future _ we share our knowledge and talent with them _ we pass on our values to them knowing they will share those gifts. Social Security safeguards children all year long, but we'd like to take this opportunity to share information about our programs that provide direct support to children.
In 2017, Social Security distributed an average of $2.6 billion each month to benefit about 4.2 million children because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. Those dollars help to provide the necessities of life for family members and help make it possible for those children to complete high school. When a working parent becomes disabled or dies, Social Security benefits help stabilize the family's financial future.
Children with disabilities are among our most vulnerable citizens. Social Security is dedicated to helping those with qualifying disabilities and their families through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSI:
_ The child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, resulting in "marked and severe functional limitations." This means that the condition(s) must severely limit your child's activities;
_ The child's condition(s) must be severe, last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death; and
_ The child must not be working and earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity limit ($1,180 a month in 2018 and $1,220 in 2019).
If the parents of the child or children have more resources than are allowed, then the child or children will not qualify for SSI. You can read more about children's benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf.
Social Security also covers many chronic illnesses and conditions. Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. Thousands of children receive benefits because they have one of the conditions on the list at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm.
