Map Shows States With the Most Kids Collecting Supplemental Social Security Benefit

A new analysis reveals which states have the most children receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The data underscores the importance of these benefits for low-income families caring for children with disabilities.

Why It Matters

The number of children receiving SSI payments varies significantly across the U.S., reflecting economic and healthcare disparities. With just under one million children nationwide receiving benefits, understanding these patterns can help inform policy and resource allocation.

However, recent concerns about Social Security office closures and staffing reductions could impact families’ ability to access these benefits. Reports indicate that Social Security field offices have been shutting down in several areas, which could make it harder for families to navigate the application and renewal process. Additionally, budget cuts have reduced SSA staffing levels, which could lead to longer processing times and delays in benefit approvals.

What To Know

SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a federal program that provides monthly payments to individuals with limited income and resources, including children with disabilities. Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), these benefits help families afford essential medical care, therapies and other necessary services.

To qualify for SSI payments, children must be under the age of 18 and have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of disability. Additionally, household income and resources must fall within certain limits.

According to January 2025 data, the states with the highest number of children receiving SSI payments include Texas (99,966), California (83,032), Florida (79,643), New York (69,002) and Ohio (42,088). These states have some of the largest overall populations and collectively account for about 38 percent of all child SSI recipients in the U.S.

On the other end, the states with the fewest child SSI recipients include Wyoming (736), Alaska (774), North Dakota (1,146), Vermont (1,126) and Hawaii (1,138).

A comparison between January 2025 data and January 2024 data shows that child SSI recipient numbers have remained relatively stable in most states, though some fluctuations are noticeable. Texas saw a decrease from 103,506 in January 2024 to 99,966 in January 2025 (-3,540 recipients), Florida declined from 81,979 to 79,643 (-2,336), and Ohio increased from 41,026 to 42,088 (+1,062). California remained nearly the same, with a marginal change from 83,003 to 83,032 (+29), and New York showed a slight decrease from 69,048 to 69,002 (-46).

What People Are Saying

Nicole Jorwic, chief of advocacy and campaigns at Caring Across Generations, previously told Newsweek: “The experience I’ve had working with families who are seeking to receive SSI makes it clear that eligibility and getting through the system should not be so hard. 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. Once benefits start, continued eligibility determinations can be a bureaucratic mess. The upside is that once families know about SSI and have those benefits in place, families greatly benefit.”

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: “While it’s difficult to say what triggers month-to-month drops in benefits enrollment, it’s important to note Supplemental Security Income has seen some significant difficulties with new and existing enrollees since the pandemic. Some of the automated and quicker processes introduced to enroll and re-enroll during the pandemic have since been phased out, and this has started to affect the numbers of those who participate.

We’ve also seen substantial reductions in recent years in the administration’s customer service team, meaning it can be more difficult if you have issues with enrollment to solve those problems.”

Michael Ryan, founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, previously told Newsweek: “It’s part of a decade-long trend of tightening the belt on disability benefits. Stricter eligibility, lower approval rates—we’re making it harder for vulnerable people to get a lifeline. It doesn’t appear to be an accident.”

What Happens Next

Advocacy groups are raising concerns about recent reductions in SSI payments, emphasizing the critical support SSI provides to low-income families with disabled children. They argue that the recent cuts could exacerbate hardships for these vulnerable populations.​