# Legal & Financial Planning — SSI & SSDI

- Our special needs childrend do not qualify for SSDI (which requires paying into Social Security) they qualify for SSI — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- If our child is on SSI and we pass away, they can collect our SSDI — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- Currently $943/month — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- **Apply 1 month before your child turns 18yo** — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- If denied, automatically appeal — often they won't tell you why until you appeal — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- Marriage penalty: 2 people on SSI go from $943/mo each to $1400/mo together — *[Stephanie Coleman, Sep 2024](/sessions/20240915_Stephanie_Coleman_KU_LEND/notes.md)*

- When your child turns 18: apply for SSI and SSDI **THEN** apply for Medicaid (call DDO for explanation of why this order matters) — *[Lois Ferguson, Oct 2024](/sessions/20241020_Lois_Ferguson_IDD_Waiver/notes.md)*

- Maintain detailed medical documentation and schedule phone interviews when applying — the system focuses heavily on treatment history — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- Understand how wages interact with benefits if the individual works while receiving SSI — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

---

[Resource index](/llms.txt) · [Full resources page](/resources/) · [Comprehensive guide](/comprehensive-guide.md)