A child who receives Supplemental Security Income benefits will face the prospect of going through the disability redetermination process once they become adults. Social Security has a specific process in place for these redeterminations, and better understanding this process will prepare beneficiaries who go through this process in the future. Below is Social Security’s explanation of that process.
The Age-18 Redetermination
When you turn 18, Social Security will review your eligibility for continued SSI benefits based on disability rules for adults, including non-medical eligibility rules. We will generally contact you within a year of turning age 18. We call this review the age-18 redetermination. During this medical 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; and
- Teachers and counselors who have knowledge of your condition.
Doctors and other trained staff will decide if you meet the disability rules for adults. Our disability rules for adults are different from our disability rules for children. Historically, about one-third of children lose their SSI eligibility following the age-18 redetermination. When we decide, we will always write to let you know 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 Social Security 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 pay SSI benefits during the appeal process.
