Children with severe mental or physical disabilities can receive monthly SSI payments if their families have low income and assets.
Most children who are currently receiving SSI have mental disabilities. The most common mental or psychological conditions that are approved for SSI include developmental delays, ADHD, mental retardation (or borderline intellection functioning), autism (or Asperger's syndrome), and depression (or bipolar disorder).
In addition, children with neurological disorders (such as epilepsy or cerebral palsy), congenital abnormalities (such as spina bifida), or respiratory difficulties (such as asthma) are also likely to be granted SSI benefits. Infants who were born prematurely or at low birth weight often get SSI for some of the above conditions.
The following are serious medical conditions that often affect children, along with links to the relevant disability listings at the Social Security Administration. Children with a severe form of the condition can automatically be granted disability benefits (if they fulfill the requirements of the disability listing).
