Understanding SSI -- SSI Spotlight on Deeming Parental Income and Resources (2024)

I HAVE A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY UNDER AGE 18 AND I AM WORKING. CAN MY CHILD QUALIFY FOR SSI?

Possibly. We consider some of your income and resources to be available to your child. They may affect whether your child can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and how much. The process of determining how much of your income and resources we will count is called "deeming."

WHEN DOES DEEMING APPLY?

Deeming applies if the parent(s) has income and/or resources that we must consider.

and

The child:

	is under age18; and
	lives at home with their parent(s), or adoptive parent(s); or
	lives away at school, but comes home on some weekends, holidays, or school vacations and is subject to parental control.

DOES DEEMING OF INCOME AND RESOURCES APPLY IF MY SPOUSE IS A STEPPARENT TO MY CHILD?

Yes. A stepparent's income and resources count as long as the parent or adoptive parent lives in the home.

DOES DEEMING COUNT ALL INCOME AND RESOURCES?

We do not deem some types of income and resources.

Examples of income that we do not deem are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; certain Department of Veterans Affairs’ pensions; general assistance; foster care payments for an ineligible child; and income used to make court-ordered support payments.

Examples of resources that we do not deem are a home that the beneficiary resides in, one vehicle that is used for transportation, and money in certain retirement or pension funds.

For the types of income and resources that we do use in the deeming process, only a portion is deemed to the child.

WHEN DOES DEEMING NOT APPLY?

Deeming stops the month after a child turns age18. Therefore, a child who could not receive SSI because of deeming may be able to get SSI when he or she turns age18.

Deeming does not apply in some other situations.