Disability

SSI is for people who do not qualify for Soc. Sec. disability, usually because of no work history.
It is the benefit that Repugs go after because most of the program is at the state level, some states do not offer the additional
Fed. share of the total benefit, some do.

The SSI criteria, at least up to 2000, included mental/emotional & physical problems, and, again as far as I know up to 2000, children could get coverage for the same symptoms. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) was a very common diagnosis.

The current "welfare program", still known as Aid For Dependent Children=AFDC, says a woman can only stay on it for 2 years, in her lifetime! during which time she has to find a job. It wasn't very effective, obviously.

So SSI became a lifeline. If you can get the kids on it, it is a much needed income. The Food Stamp Program is almost meaningless in tern of real help, now.

Now they want to cut SSI lifeline, they won't talk about cutting Soc. Sec. for retirees until after the election, too many votes are involved.
When you make people ineligible for SSI, they often lose their legal address for voting purposes.