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Educators may wonder if every student receiving special education services in their school is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The answer is no. Only those students who meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability, income, and resources requirements are eligible. The SSA requirements for disability determination are not the same as educational requirements for participation in special education. Not all students identified as disabled under IDEA will meet SSA’s requirements for receiving SSI benefits. A number of students who have behaviors or conditions that require special education services do not meet SSI criteria. Conversely, there are students who have physical and medical impairments who do qualify for SSI benefits, yet are not in special education because they do not require specially designed instruction.
School personnel should be knowledgable about the eligibility requirements in order to appropriately advise parents and students. Information and answers to questions are available through the SSA toll free number, 1-800-772-1213. Through this number, educators can obtain referrals and materials that will answer questions, including contact information for the SSA Professional Relations Officer in their region. This officer is knowledgable on most aspects of the SSI system.
Adapted with permission from The Study Group, Inc. and The Institute on Community
Integration (1998). Meeting
the needs of youth with disabilities: Handbook on Supplemental Security Income
work incentives and transition students. Minneapolis: Institute on Community
Integration, University of Minnesota.
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Citation: Gaylord, V., Golden, T.P., O'Mara, S., and Johnson, D.R. (Eds.). (2002). Impact: Feature Issue on Young Adults with Disabilities & Social Security Administration Employment Support Programs, 15(1) [online]. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration. Available from http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/151.
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