Abstract
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash assistance program for seniors, as well as for adults and children with severe disabilities in households with low incomes and limited resources. SSI benefits help offset heightened costs of care for children.1 However, there is ongoing debate about whether children’s SSI has an effect—positive or negative—on the long-term achievement of beneficiaries. The proposed School Attendance Improves Lives (SAIL) Act would cut SSI benefits for 16- and 17-year old recipients if they were not attending school. Proponents cite analyses of data from 2001/2002 for their proposition that a large proportion of older youth receiving SSI are not enrolled in school. These claims are inaccurate; there is no difference in drop-out rates between youth who do and do not receive SSI.