Mandatory Spending
Function 600 - Income Security
Eliminate Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Children
CBO periodically issues a compendium of policy options (called Options for Reducing the Deficit) covering a broad range of issues, as well as separate reports that include options for changing federal tax and spending policies in particular areas. This option appears in one of those publications. The options are derived from many sources and reflect a range of possibilities. For each option, CBO presents an estimate of its effects on the budget but makes no recommendations. Inclusion or exclusion of any particular option does not imply an endorsement or rejection by CBO.
| Billions of dollars | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2015-2019 | 2015-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Mandatory Outlays | 0 | -11 | -11 | -10 | -11 | -11 | -12 | -13 | -12 | -12 | -43 | -103 |
| Change in Discretionary Outlays | 0 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -4 | -9 |
Note: This option would take effect in October 2015. Estimates are relative to CBO’s August 2014 baseline projections.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash assistance to people who are disabled, aged, or both and who have low income and few assets. Children, who make up about 15 percent of SSI recipients, can qualify for benefits if they have "marked and severe functional limitations." This option would eliminate SSI benefits for children.