A BridgeAbility Navigator™ guide
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Turning 18 changes how Social Security reviews disability benefits. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security generally looks at the young adult's own income and resources instead of the parents' income and resources. This means someone who was not eligible as a child because of family income may become eligible after turning 18.
Families can gather records before the 18th birthday. If the person is applying under the adult SSI rules, begin the application when the person turns 18. Do not wait several months simply because the records are not perfect; Social Security can request additional information.
Note: If the person already receives SSI, do not submit a new application unless Social Security tells you to. Social Security will conduct an age-18 redetermination using the adult disability rules, usually during the year after the person turns 18.
A person can qualify for SSI or other Social Security disability benefits while under guardianship. Guardianship does not automatically affect eligibility, and parental income generally stops being counted under SSI rules after age 18. A court-appointed guardian may help with or sign the application when appropriate. Bring a certified copy of the guardianship order when contacting Social Security.
Being the legal guardian does not automatically make the parent the Social Security representative payee. Social Security separately decides whether the beneficiary needs someone to manage the payments. A parent or guardian may apply to serve as the representative payee.
Living with parents does not prevent eligibility, but the person's living arrangement and financial support may affect the SSI payment amount.
Tip: Do not describe only the diagnosis. Explain what the person needs help doing, how often help is needed and what happens without that support.
Applications begin with the Social Security Administration, not Virginia DARS.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
TTY: 1-800-325-0778.
Virginia clarification: Virginia Disability Determination Services reviews the medical evidence for Virginia claims after Social Security checks the nonmedical requirements. Virginia DARS does not accept the initial SSI application.
Learn about Virginia's role in disability decisions(opens in a new tab)
An unmarried adult whose disability began before age 22 may qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits based on a parent's Social Security work record if the parent receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits or has died. The adult does not need to have worked. Contact Social Security to ask whether this benefit applies.
This is a different Social Security benefit from SSI, sometimes called DAC or Childhood Disability Benefits.
View official SSA rules for benefits through a parent’s record(opens in a new tab)Prefer a shorter explanation? Read SSA’s article about Disabled Adult Child benefits.(opens in a new tab)
BridgeAbility Navigator™ provides general educational information and does not determine eligibility or provide legal or benefits advice. Social Security makes all eligibility decisions. Program rules and financial limits can change, so confirm current requirements with the Social Security Administration.