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Can minors/children receive SSI, and is the money given to the legal guardian?

Question:

Can minors/children receive SSI, and is the money given to the legal guardian?

Answer:

  • Yes, minors (children under age 18) can receive SSI if they meet the childhood criteria for disability. Whether or not the legal guardian receives the money depends on a few factors. Individuals under age 18 are generally presumed to be incapable of handling their own funds and would need a representative payee, so a legal guardian or other payee service would manage the funds. Children under age 15 are required to have a payee.
     
    In some instances a child aged 15-17 may be determined as capable of handling his/her own funds if one of the following conditions exists:
     
    • The child is entitled to disability benefits based on his/her own earnings.
    • The child is on active duty in the armed forces
    • The child is living alone and self-supporting
    • The child is a parent and filed for his/her own or his/her child’s benefits,  and has experience handling finances
    • The child is within 7 months of attaining age 18.
    • The child has demonstrated the ability to handle finances, and no qualified payee is available.
     
    In addition, if a child is emancipated under state law, he/she is not required to have a payee, unless there are indications to the contrary. More information about determining capability in children can be found here