SSA Eases Disability Reviews for Under-18 SSI Kids
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting March 23, 2026, the Social Security Administration is making it easier to decide if kids under 18 who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) still qualify as disabled. This new rule simplifies the medical review steps, helping families get faster answers about their benefits. If you’re a child receiving SSI, this change could speed up decisions without affecting your money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Simplified SSI disability reviews for children
If you have a child under age 18 who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSA will apply Social Security Ruling 26-1p starting March 23, 2026 to simplify continuing disability reviews. The rule rescinds SSR 05-03p and removes the redundant requirement to consider functional equivalence at step 2 of the Medical Improvement Review Standard (noting January 2, 2001 as the relevant prior cutoff), while keeping the step 3 functional equivalence analysis.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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