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Illness & disability
Getting help paying for health care
When you are under 18 and disabled
- Social Security benefits (also called Supplemental Security Income) are for disabled children under 18 whose families need some extra help.
- In most states, children who get Social Security benefits can also apply for Medicaid, which is a program for people who need help paying for health care. Some children can get Medicaid help even if they are not able to get Social Security.
- Your local Social Security office can help you learn what you can apply for and how. You and your parents or guardians can find more information and an office near you on the Social Security Administration's web site for kids.
When you are over 18 and disabled
- If your family did not need Social Security benefits before, you may be able to get them on your own after turning 18, even if you live with your parents.
- You may also be able to apply for Medicaid, a program for people who need help paying for health care.
Helpful Tools:
- Learn from young people like you. Kids as Self Advocates is a group of young leaders who speak out on disability issues all over the country. Visit them on-line to read what they have to say about your rights.
- Are you interested in a history lesson like no other? Visit the Smithsonian museum on-line for a virtual (in cyberspace) exhibit of the disability rights movement.
Content last updated October 21, 2009
