Florida has seen a slight drop in the amount of money paid out through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for children, despite an increase in the number of kids qualifying for these benefits. According to new data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the total payments made to children dropped between November and December 2024, even though the number of eligible children in Florida went up.
Why It Matters
SSI is a crucial support system for people with disabilities, the elderly, and the blind, especially those with little or no income. For children, SSI payments are only available if they are disabled or blind. This financial support helps families manage medical conditions, pay for treatment, and cover basic living expenses, which is essential for families facing extra challenges due to their child’s disability.
What to Know About the Recent Drop in Payments
Between November and December 2024, there was a decrease in the total amount of SSI payments made to children in Florida. In November, the total payments for children amounted to $76,650,000. By December, this number had dropped to $70,626,000. Meanwhile, the number of children eligible for SSI payments rose slightly from 80,160 in November to 80,869 in December.
This trend is not unique to just children in Florida. Across the state as a whole, the total SSI payments for all recipients dropped slightly, from $388,450,000 in November to $383,958,000 in December. Despite this decline in payments, the total number of SSI recipients in Florida increased from 540,049 to 541,385 over the same period.
Why the Increase in Recipients, Despite the Payment Drop?
The rise in recipients is largely due to efforts by the Biden administration to clear a backlog of SSI applications. In recent months, Social Security backlogs have been a major issue, driven in part by staffing shortages and funding problems.
Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Advocacy and Campaigns at Caring Across Generations, explained, “The Biden administration made a major push to get through the backlog of applications. It’s likely that’s why the number of recipients went up.”
While the backlog of applications is being addressed, problems remain. Martin O’Malley, former commissioner of the SSA, pointed out in a 2024 blog post that the agency is still facing “significant underfunding,” which has led to understaffed offices and slow decision-making.
The Role of SSI in Preventing Poverty
SSI is an important lifeline for many families, especially those with children who are disabled. A 2024 analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showed that without SSI, almost a million children would fall below the poverty line in the United States. In fact, more than one million children across the country rely on SSI benefits as of December 2024.
SSI payments help cover basic needs like food, rent, clothing, school supplies, and utilities. These payments also help reduce the financial strain on families who must care for children with disabilities. According to Jonathan Stein, an attorney at Community Legal Services, and Linda Landry, a rep payee program manager at the Disability Law Center, “Many parents and caretakers of children with disabilities lose work hours and income because of their children’s care needs. SSI helps close the income gap, allowing families to thrive despite the added financial burden of caring for a child with disabilities.”
Challenges Families Face in Accessing SSI
Despite the importance of SSI, the process to apply for these benefits can be frustrating and complicated for many families. Nicole Jorwic shared her experience working with families trying to receive SSI, noting that the application process can be tedious and confusing. “The process to prove a disability is tedious and things like school special education records aren’t counted. Documenting a disability is a challenge, along with the determination process,” Jorwic explained.
Once families start receiving benefits, they still have to go through continued eligibility determinations, which can often be a bureaucratic nightmare. However, she emphasized that the benefits are vital for families and provide significant help once they’re in place.
The Impact of Underfunding on Social Security Services
One major issue affecting the SSI system is underfunding. This has led to delays in processing applications, longer wait times, and increased stress for applicants. Martin O’Malley highlighted that, despite efforts to improve service, it still takes too long for both the SSA and state-level Disability Determination Services offices to make decisions for those applying for disability benefits.
Families are left in a difficult position as they wait for support, and the system is stretched thin, making it harder for those in need to get the help they deserve.
Looking Ahead
SSI remains one of the most important safety nets for children with disabilities across the country. As more children in Florida and nationwide qualify for these payments, addressing the challenges faced by the Social Security Administration, from backlogs to underfunding, will be critical. Families who depend on SSI benefits will continue to advocate for improvements to the system, ensuring that their children can receive the support they need to thrive.
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