Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Fact Sheet

Why is SSI important?

  • There are currently 7.4 million people receiving SSI payments.  
  • Individuals with disabilities, including many children with special health care needs, account for 85% of the people currently receiving SSI payments.  

How does this program help children and adults with special health care needs?

  • SSI helps families with limited income and resources by reducing financial insecurity for families caring for children with special health care needs by: 
    • Helping families meet their basic needs such as food, rent, utilities, clothing, school supplies, etc. 
    • Funding disability-related expenses such as specialized therapies, medically prescribed diets, diapers for older children, home modifications for accessibility, etc.   
    • Providing Medicaid which covers essential long-term services and supports, including medical care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, etc.  
  • SSI benefits help to lift nearly 200,000 children with special health care needs above 50% of the poverty line.  

Potential impacts of funding cuts:

  • Increased rates of poverty and food insecurity among families raising children with special health care needs.  
  • Delays in early intervention and other medically necessary treatments. 
  • Negative long-term outcomes such as a decreased number of individuals able to work and care for themselves as adults. 

For More Information

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