SSI for a Child with a Disability
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly federal cash benefit for people with disabilities and very limited income — and that includes children under 18 with a qualifying disability such as autism. For a child, Social Security looks at the family's income through a process called “deeming.” Qualifying for SSI also typically makes a child eligible for Medicaid, which covers autism services like ABA, speech, and OT.
Could my disabled child qualify for SSI?
A child under 18 with a qualifying disability (including autism) can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — a monthly cash benefit — if the family's income and resources are low enough. SSI also often opens the door to Medicaid. Social Security counts part of the parents' income toward the child (“deeming”). Enter a few numbers for an instant, unofficial estimate.
Federal SSI figures as of January 1, 2026
Unofficial estimate — not a decision. Only the Social Security Administration can decide if your child qualifies for SSI. SSI for a child uses “deeming,” and the real rules account for things this screen doesn't (step-parents, in-kind support, each child's own income, the child's resources, state rules). There's also a $2,000 limit on countable resources. These federal figures were last updated as of January 1, 2026 from the official SSA figures (they update each January with the COLA). Always confirm with Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov/ssi.
How the estimate works
Because a child doesn't usually have their own income, SSA counts part of the parents' income as if it were available to the child. Starting from the parents' monthly income, SSA sets aside an allowance for each of the family's other children, then standard income exclusions, then a living allowance for the parents themselves. Whatever is left over is “deemed” to the child and compared against the federal benefit rate. If the deemed amount is low enough, the child may receive SSI.
This tool runs that standard arithmetic as a screen — it is deliberately cautious and will tell you “it's close — apply to be sure” whenever you're near the line. It cannot see everything the real review does (step-parents, in-kind support like free housing, each child's own income, the family's countable resources, or any state rules), so it is not a decision. The only way to know for certain is to apply.
Apply or ask questions
- Call Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Mon–Fri.
- Online: ssa.gov/ssi — start a child disability report and apply.
- If your child gets SSI, ask about Alabama Medicaid — SSI recipients are generally eligible, and Medicaid covers autism therapies.