Social Security: Child Disability Starter Kit
This guide presents selected U.S. government consumer education from Social Security Administration. References to “we” or “us” in the source material refer to the issuing agency. Source dates and links appear below.
Page references and publication numbers refer to the linked government publication. Figures identified by year apply to that edition, and illustrative examples are not estimates of your own benefit or costs.
This kit will help you complete the Child Disability Report at www.ssa.gov/childdisabilityreport and prepare for the child disability interview. It contains:
A Checklist of documents and information we will request An Optional Worksheet to help you organize the information from the checklist A Fact Sheet that answers questions most people ask about applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for children
IMPORTANT: Do not delay filing an application if you do not have or remember all of the information we request. We will help you get any missing information.
| CHECKLIST – Check off the applicable items below as you get ready to complete the Child Disability Report at www.ssa.gov/childdisabilityreport and prepare for the child disability interview. We need the child’s personal and medical information to determine eligibility for disability payments. |
| Medical Information Name, address, and phone number of any doctor, therapist, hospital, and clinic that has seen or treated the child in the past 12 months. Records in your possession related to the child’s medical conditions. You do not need to ask for or pay healthcare providers for any medical records that you do not have. List of medicine(s) the child takes and why they take them, if known. For prescription medicines, include the names of the healthcare providers who prescribed them. Child’s medical assistance number, if any. Other Information Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any schools the child attended in the past 12 months, including the names of teachers, psychologists, counselors, and speech and other therapists who have seen or treated the child. The child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for early intervention services or Individualized Education Program (IEP) for special education services, if the child has one; and any other school records that you may have. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any social service programs and the names of caseworkers that have information about the child. Name, address, and phone number of another adult who helps care for the child and can help us get information, if necessary. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any employers the child has had. An original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. If the child was born in another country, we also need proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Names and Social Security Numbers for all the children and adults who live in the household. Proof of current income for the child and family members living in the household (for example, pay stubs, self-employment tax returns, unemployment or other program benefits, child support). Proof of resources for the child and parents living in the household (for example, bank account statements, life insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks or bonds). |
OPTIONAL WORKSHEET – You can complete this Optional Worksheet to get ready for your interview or as you prepare to complete the Child Disability Report. If you decide to complete it, please have it with you when you start the Child Disability Report or when it is time for your appointment. If you need more space, use blank sheets of paper.
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL THIS WORKSHEET TO SOCIAL SECURITY. IT IS NOT THE APPLICATION FOR CHILD DISABILITY PAYMENTS.
A. Child’s height and weight.
B. Name, address, phone number, and relationship of another adult who helps care for the child and can help us get information about the child if necessary.
C. The child’s illnesses, injuries, or conditions.
D. Date the child’s condition(s) began.
E. How the child’s condition(s) affect the child’s activities.
F. The child’s current grade, if in school.
G. Schools or preschools the child is currently attending, and any other schools the child attended in the last 12 months.
| Name | Address, Zip Code, and Phone Number | Dates Attended | Kind(s) of Special Ed. Services (if any) |
H. Current or most recent teacher’s name(s) and school.
I. School testing the child has had, such as tests for behavior or learning problems.
| Name or Kind of Test | Date(s) | Name of School |
J. Name of any school therapist the child is seeing physical, or occupational) and the school name.
K. Hospitals, clinics, doctors, or therapists that have
L. Other agencies or programs that tested or exam Headstart, Early Intervention Services or Specia or Social Service Agency, Mental Health/Develo or has seen (for example, speech, seen the child in the last 12 months.
ined the child, or that provided services (such as l Education, Public or Community Health, Welfare pmental Disabilities Center).
| Name | Address, Zip Code, and Phone Number | Date First Seen | Date Last Seen |
| Name | Address, Zip Code, and Phone Number | Kind of Test or Service | Date(s) |
M. List of medicine(s) the child takes and why they take them, if known. Include the names of the healthcare providers who prescribed any prescription medicines.
| Name of Medicine | Reason for Medicine | Prescribed By |
N. All medical tests the child had or has scheduled for their illnesses, injuries, or conditions. (For example, hearing test, vision test, IQ testing, blood tests, breathing tests, x-rays.)
| Name of Test | Date(s) | Where Done | Provider Who Sent Child for Test |
Remember, you can get started online! Visit www.ssa.gov/apply for information.
Also, please do not delaying filing an application if you do not have or remember all of the information on this worksheet. We will help you get any missing information.
FACT SHEET: What You Should Know Before You Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability Payments for a Child
How does Social Security decide if How can I get ready for the a child can get SSI? disability interview?
Children can get SSI if they meet Social • This Child Disability Starter Kit includes Security’s definition of disability for children and a checklist and a worksheet to help you if they have little or no income and resources. gather the information you need. Have We also consider the family’s household income, this information with you at the time of resources, and other personal information. the interview.
- If you have access to the internet, How does Social Security decide if you can fill out a Child Disability a child is disabled? Report at www.socialsecurity.gov/ childdisabilityreport before your interview. The report usually takes about an hour to Social Security has a strict definition of disability complete and collects information about the for children. child’s disabling condition and how it affects
- The child must have a physical or mental their ability to function. condition(s) that very seriously limits their activities; and
Is SSI a medical assistance
- The condition(s) must have lasted, or be
program?
expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. SSI is not a medical assistance program. Your A State agency makes the initial determination State Medicaid agency, local health department, on disability. They review the information you social services office, or hospital can help you give us. They will also ask for information from find your nearest health care agencies. You medical and school sources and other people can also go to www.insurekidsnow.gov or call who know about the child. toll free 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) If the State agency needs more information, for more information on your state’s health they will contact you to arrange an examination insurance program. or test for the child that we will pay for.
Sources and publication details
- Child Disability Starter Kit — Social Security Administration; source date: August 2024.
The federal agency source text is U.S. government work in the public domain. Fynoptic selected, adapted, and formatted it for this guide. No agency endorsement is implied. Follow the linked sources for current program details and the rules applicable to your circumstances.