D-1210 Definition of a Child
Revision 09-4; Effective December 1, 2009
A child is neither married nor a head of a household and is either:
under age 18; or
under age 22 and a student regularly attending school, college or training that is designed to prepare him/her for a paying job.
Child status ceases effective with the month after the month of attainment of age 22 (age 18, if not a student) or the month after the month the person last meets the definition of child.
SSI policy defines full-time student as an individual attending at least:
12 hours per week if in high school or under;
12 hours per week if in a technical or vocational school (shop practice is not included in the course);
15 hours per week if in a technical or vocational school (shop practice is included in the course); or
eight hours per week per semester if in a college or university.
A student is deemed to be in regular school attendance during normal vacation periods if he attends regularly during the month immediately following the vacation period. A person may be considered a full-time student without attending the required number of hours per week, if the person is disabled and physically unable to attend full-time, has difficulty obtaining transportation or is taking all that is needed to complete the person's education.
The age requirements involved in identifying a child apply only to a person who is otherwise eligible. A blind or disabled applicant who meets these age requirements, however, can become eligible for Medicaid, even though the person does not meet the definition of a child.