My daughter has never been able to work because she has been disabled from birth. Can she get disability benefits?

Q: My daughter has never been able to work because she has been disabled from birth by cerebral palsy. Can she get disability benefits from Social Security?

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A: Possibly. If the child is under 18 and you have limited income and resources, the child may qualify for SSI benefits. If the child is older than 18, she may be able to qualify for SSI disability benefits without regard of the income of her parents. If either of her parents are drawing Social Security benefits of some type or are deceased, and the child's disability began before age 22, the child may be eligible for disabled adult child benefits.