What referral must I make regarding a child who has or may have a disability to determine SSI eligibility?

• A. Referral to the Social Security Administration
• B. Referral to the Department of Education
• C. Referral to the police
• D. Referral to the attorney general

Answer: (A)

When assessing SSI eligibility for a child with a disability, you refer to the Social Security Administration because SSA is the agency that administers Supplemental Security Income and makes the disability determinations for SSI. SSI is needs-based, and eligibility depends on medical disability criteria as defined by SSA plus applicable income and resource limits; SSA handles the application, evaluation, and approval process. Referring to the Department of Education, the police, or the attorney general would not determine or authorize SSI benefits, since those agencies don’t make SSI determinations. In practice, you’d coordinate with SSA, gather and provide the necessary medical documentation, and help initiate the SSI application so the child can be evaluated for disability and potential benefits.