As Congress considers the status of the SSI program in general, we urge that special consideration be given to the part of the SSI program that serves children with disabilities. As one of the most vulnerable segments of our population, children should have access to a program that clearly meets their needs and offers them hope for the future.
Much of the history of the child SSI program involves shifts based on media reports, public opinion, and court cases. Future changes should instead be based on evidence and facts. Before attempting to streamline processes for adjudicating claims, the mission of the program must be defined. The Statement includes five research questions intended as a starting place for identifying the child SSI program’s purpose and mission.
The Statement is included in SSA’s 2013 Annual Report on the SSI Program. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 gives Board members the opportunity, individually or jointly, to include their views on SSI in SSA’s annual report to the President and Congress on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The Board or one of its members has submitted a statement every year since 1998, except for 2024 due to the lack of a quorum.