Social Security can help youngsters
Childhood should be a time when we can dream big, when we envision futures as large and as alluring as our imaginations allow. But too many young people with disabilities feel bound by reminders of what they cannot do, instead of possibilities of what they can.
That’s wrong.
At Social Security, I like to think we are in the “can do” business, that we are pretty good at helping people create their own futures unbound by other people’s expectations. And we are especially eager to play a part in helping young people with disabilities realize their dreams.
The number of young people who can use such help tells a story. The Census Bureau says there are nearly 2 million people age 15 to 24 with a severe disabilities. Under the Social Security program, when a child who is getting a dependent’s or survivor’s benefit from Social Security reaches 18, those benefits generally stop unless the child is disabled. In those cases, benefits can continue as long as the child remains disabled, even into his or her adult years.
And if a young person goes to work and has 18 months of coverage under Social Security, then he or she would be eligible for disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration also pays monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to about 850,000 severely disabled young people under age 18.
Our studies show many people who enter the SSI program in their youth will stay in for many years. For example, a person under age 18 who qualifies for SSI can be expected to stay on SSI for more than 25 years. Those numbers show that not enough is being done to help young people with disabilities, and our agency is working to improve that record.