Besides SSI, there’s another Social Security benefit program that changes rules when you turn 18. Social Security has insurance programs for the disabled (Social Security Disability Insurance - SSDI) and people who have retired from work (Social Security retirement benefits). These are known as “Title II” benefits after the section of the law that created them. When you work, a portion of your income is automatically taken out and put into a trust fund. If you’ve worked for long enough and become disabled or retire, Social Security pays you a benefit out of this fund. It’s similar in concept to other types of insurance, like health or life insurance. Like these other forms of insurance, the Social Security programs also cover some family members. If you’re a child of someone who receives SSDI or retirement benefits, you may receive a benefit. These benefits are known as Title II child’s benefits. You can also get these benefits if a parent who died was insured under Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

To qualify, you have to be:

• Unmarried and under 18 (or 19 if you’re attending high school or other secondary education), and
• A “dependent” “child” of the Title II beneficiary. (Social Security has detailed definitions of these terms).

Title II child’s benefits are not based on disability. They are only based on whether or not you have a parent who had or has a Title II benefit. If you happen to be in this situation and also have a disability, you’ll still get the child’s benefit. If you’re also on SSI, Title II child’s benefits count as income. SSI assumes that you can spend all but $20 of the benefit on your basic needs, so your check will be decreased by the amount of your benefit - $20.

Keep in mind that income from a Title II child’s benefit can be used for a PASS.

What Happens to Title II child benefits when you turn 18

Title II child’s benefits will end when you turn 18, unless you’re in high school (or another secondary school), in which case they’ll end when you turn 19. If you have been on SSI as well as Title II child’s benefits, this could mean that your SSI benefit will increase. When your child’s benefits end, you may be eligible for another program called Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB). See Section 5 of Benefits at 18 for more information.