January 10, 2018

Social Security Administration Seeks Input on Improving Adult Economic Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities Receiving SSI

The Social Security Administration released a Request for Information (RFI) to elicit ideas, strategies, and best practices related to improving adult economic outcomes for youth aged 14 to 25 with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Comments are due by February 2, 2018.

Youth receiving SSI confront challenges due to poor health, poverty, a lack of information to access the fragmented adult service system, and other barriers. Many youth face a lack of coordinated services, especially as they leave high school and their schools no longer provide youth support. SSA's redetermination of SSI eligibility at age 18 also generally results in 30-40 percent of youth losing SSI eligibility (and the accompanying automatic Medicaid access that most SSI recipients receive) because their condition does not meet the adult standard for disability.

The RFI includes 12 questions for respondents to consider when providing comments. The input SSA receives will inform its deliberations about potential policy changes and the design of future demonstration projects for transition-age SSI recipients. 

The full RFI can be viewed and comments can be made directly through the regulations.gov website.  A Federal Register notice is also available.