Abstract
Child disability includes physical, developmental, behavioral, and learning disorders in children. More than 1 in 8 children have a limitation in an essential activity such as moving, self-care, communicating, or learning, and almost 1 in 5 has a special healthcare need. Poverty, defined as gross income less than $15,600 for a family of 3, increases the risks for suboptimal health, developmental, and behavioral outcomes for children, especially for preschoolers. We will provide a framework for health, developmental, and social service professionals to better understand Supplemental Security Income and thereby improve the chances that families in poverty with children with special healthcare needs and preschool developmental delays gain access to this valuable resource.