Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the Transition to Adulthood

As VonThenen explains, most young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will not yet have a job when they turn 18, so they are less likely to have a lot of income and resources in their own name that would count against their eligibility for SSI.

To qualify for SSI, an individual cannot hold more than $2,000 in their name ($3,000 for married couples), though there are exemptions for the family home and a vehicle, among others. It is important to take this into consideration when setting up a savings account in your child’s name. However, an ABLE account such as California’s CalABLE makes it possible to save beyond the $2,000 limit. Hear VonThenen’s explanation in this clip:

The amount of SSI provided monthly depends on the living situation of the individual. In 2024, if a young adult is living at home in California and not contributing to rent and food, they can expect to receive $873.87 per month. If they pay their fair share of household expenses, including rent, SSI can provide as much as $1,182.94 monthly. “Those rates are slightly higher if the person is visually impaired or blind,” VonThenen adds. Since each state determines their own state supplement, these amounts are specific to California (here is the full table of California SSI payments).

Some parents might consider charging their adult children rent to reflect their fair share of household costs. VonThenen cautions that in order to qualify for the higher SSI rate, parents will need to create a formal lease agreement with their child. There could also be tax implications for families who receive rent, so parents should consult their tax advisor.

A young adult or their parent can start the application for SSI in person, online at ssa.gov/apply, or by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You will need:

• The young adult’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number
• The young adult’s mailing address, phone number, and email address (optional)
• The parent’s name, phone number, and email address (optional) if you are helping your young adult apply.

Once the information is submitted, a Social Security representative will contact you by mail or phone within 7 to 14 business days to schedule an appointment to complete the process.

You can find a full step-by-step guide to the application process, including establishing a rent agreement with your young adult, in the Undivided app.

In 2022, the federal government announced an 8.7% Cost-of-Living Adjustment to SSI. However, there is no planned increase to the limits on income or resources. The current asset limits have not been raised since 1989, resulting in poverty and marginalization for many adults who rely on SSI.

The National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition, a member service of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), is campaigning for the bipartisan Social Security Income (SSI) Savings Penalty Elimination bill (S. 4102), which would raise SSI asset limits to $10,000 per individual and $20,000 per couple. Call your senators to support this campaign.