Social Security will send a written notice to the youth turning 18.

The youth and their family, guardians, or representatives  are asked to complete some forms to return to Social Security.

• Form collects information about the severity of the person’s disability and their day-to-day functioning.
• Form must be signed to give permission to Social Security to collect medical records from providers.
• Form also collects information about education and vocational programming.
• If not enough medical evidence, Social Security will send the youth to one of their paid providers for an evaluation.
• Deeming should end when the youth turns 18 even if the medical evaluation is not complete.

Social Security uses the information gathered from these forms to determine if youth’s impairment is “severe” by Social Security’s criteria Social Security also examines the individual’s ability to earn income in future employment.

• Countable assets must be at or below $2,000 for individuals.
• Income includes any wages and benefits you earn from other sources (free shelter, etc.).
• Takes 30-90 days to get decision from Social Security.
• Person may appeal redetermination decision within 60 days.
• Appeals take about 60 days.

As a result of the redetermination process, the individual either continues receiving SSI and Medicaid with no interruption or will get written notice that they are no longer qualified to receive benefits.

The person is entitled to receive two more months of payments after the date of the notice.

Things to know:

• The decision can be appealed.
• During the redetermination process, youth may work above the Social Security income level called SGA and still be eligible for SSI.
• If  a youth was getting benefits as a child, they can ask for benefit continuation if requested within the first 10 days of a cessation notice.

It’s important to have a plan before age 18 in case loss of SSI and Medicaid happens.

If you or your child have turned 18 and have not received a written notice about the disability redetermination, you can still report the following things to Social Security right away (when you turn 18):

• Report your monthly rent and food expenses. This will affect the amount of SSI you get if you are getting SSI.
• Let Social Security know your student status. Social Security often assumes that if you are 18 you finished high school. Many students stay in high school up until age 22.  If you are a student, this can affect your SSI payment.
• Ask Social Security to check if deeming has stopped since you turned 18! Make sure your parents’ income isn’t being used to calculate your SSI payment as it did when you were a minor child.
• Do you need help managing your benefits? Start to think about whether or not you will manage your own Social Security benefits or do you need an “authorized representative” – sometimes called a “rep payee”? Do you need a separate bank account? Will you use the Direct Express debit card option? Follow-up with Social Security as soon as possible.
• And of course, always report if you are working!

Social Security should review all of this when you turn 18 even if they haven’t done an age 18 medical redetermination.

How to get in touch with Social Security:

• Visit the Social Security website
• Call 1-800-772-1213(TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Contact your local Social Security office