# SSI for children with disabilities

Deeming reduces the SSI check by counting a portion of the parents' income and resources as available to the child. When the child turns 18, deeming ends and eligibility is redetermined using adult rules — which is why some children lose SSI at age 18 and others gain it for the first time.

**Direct answer:** Yes — a child under 18 can get SSI if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that causes 'marked and severe functional limitations' expected to last at least 12 months and the household meets the SSI income and resource tests through 'parent-to-child deeming.'

**Direct answer:** Yes — a child under 18 can get SSI if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that causes 'marked and severe functional limitations' expected to last at least 12 months and the household meets the SSI income and resource tests through 'parent-to-child deeming.'

## Can a child get SSI?
Deeming reduces the SSI check by counting a portion of the parents' income and resources as available to the child. When the child turns 18, deeming ends and eligibility is redetermined using adult rules — which is why some children lose SSI at age 18 and others gain it for the first time.

## 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.

## Sources
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts — https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- SSA — SSI Spotlights — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/

## Related questions
- [SSI — Supplemental Security Income Complete Guide (2026)](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi)
- [SSI vs SSDI](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi)
- [The SSDI Application Process](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/application-process)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSI vs SSDI — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi

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