Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal program to help people who may not have enough money to live because of a disability. It can also help parents and guardians of children who have certain disabilities. SSI provides up to $943 per month in cash to help meet basic needs for things like food, clothing and housing.

Children with severe medical or mental conditions may be eligible for SSI benefits. There is no minimum age. A child may be eligible as early as the date of birth.

Some of the conditions that may qualify a child for SSI benefits include:

• A physical condition that seriously limits their activities
• A mental condition that seriously limits their activities
• Total blindness
• Total deafness
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Severe intellectual disability (child age 4 or older)
• Symptomatic HIV infection
• Birth weight below 2 pounds, 10 ounces (as documented on the child’s birth certificate)

The Social Security Administration keeps a list of more conditions that may qualify someone for SSI. These are called Compassionate Allowances conditions or CAL conditions. A child with one of these conditions may be eligible to receive SSI benefits right away. For other conditions, it may take three to five months to determine eligibility.

You can also go to the Social Security Administration’s website and fill out their SSA BEST Questionnaire online. It’s secure and can help give you an idea of the benefits your child may be eligible to receive.

Centauri Health Solutions can help you apply for SSI

If your child is a Louisiana Healthcare Connections member and you think they may be eligible for SSI benefits, call our partner, Centauri Health Solutions. A Centauri representative will work with you to find out if your child may qualify. They will help you fill out and submit all the forms you need to apply. And their services are free for Louisiana Healthcare Connections members.

Call Centauri Health Solutions toll-free 1-866-263-6608 (TTY: 711), Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to find out if your child qualifies for SSI benefits.