Introduction This publication is for youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their parents, teachers, health providers, caregivers, or representatives. You should learn about the changes that happen with your SSI payments when you turn age 18. You should also know of changes to services that are available from Social Security and other government agencies to help you prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.
The Age-18 Redetermination When you turn age 18, we will review your eligibility for continued SSI payments based on the disability rules for adults. These include nonmedical eligibility rules pertaining to income, resources, residency, citizenship, etc. These rules are different than the rules that were applied when you were a child. We call this review an age-18 redetermination. We will make sure that you are aware of this important change and the process for providing us with needed information. We will usually contact you within a year of turning age 18. During this review, we will send you a letter to ask for the following information about your disability:
• Names of any medicines.
• Hospital stays and surgeries.
• Visits to doctors and clinics.
• Work activity.
• Counseling and therapy.
• Schools and special classes or tutoring.
• Teachers and counselors who have knowledge of your condition.
Doctors and other trained staff will decide if your impairment(s) meet the qualifying disability rules for adults. Our disability rules for adults are different from our qualifying disability rules for children. Historically, about 1/3 of children lose their SSI eligibility following the age-18 redetermination. When we decide if you will continue to qualify for SSI, we will write to let you know about our decision. Our letter explains your right to appeal our decision — that is, ask us to look at your case again. If you want to appeal the decision, you must send a written appeal to us within 60 days from the date you receive your letter. If you appeal the decision within 10 days of receiving the letter, you can also choose to have us continue to provide SSI payments during the appeal process. For more information on the appeal process, go to www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10058.pdf and read Your Right To Question The Decision We Made On Your Claim (Publication No. 05-10058).