Direct answer
SSI age-18 redetermination
Between age 18 and 19, SSA redetermines SSI eligibility using the adult disability standard; roughly one-third of childhood SSI recipients lose benefits at this redetermination.
The adult standard requires an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity — a higher bar than 'marked and severe functional limitations.' If you disagree with the age-18 decision, appeal within 60 days; you can request that benefits continue during appeal by filing within 10 days.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
Direct answer: Between age 18 and 19, SSA redetermines SSI eligibility using the adult disability standard; roughly one-third of childhood SSI recipients lose benefits at this redetermination.
What happens when my child on SSI turns 18?
The adult standard requires an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity — a higher bar than 'marked and severe functional limitations.' If you disagree with the age-18 decision, appeal within 60 days; you can request that benefits continue during appeal by filing within 10 days.
Where does this rule live in SSA's regulations?
SSA publishes the SSI eligibility rules in the SSI Eligibility page on ssa.gov and the annual 2026 SSI figures at ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html. When SSA's public page and this article differ, ssa.gov controls.
What if I'm not sure I qualify?
Apply anyway. SSA determines eligibility on the facts of your case, and application itself protects the earliest possible filing date. There is no penalty for applying and being denied.
Topics
- ssi
- SSI vs SSDI
- eligibility
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility (ssa.gov)
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts (ssa.gov)
- SSA — SSI Spotlights (ssa.gov)