Youth and Young Adults

The Maryland Benefits Counseling Network understands the unique challenges and questions that transitioning aged youth may experience related to public benefits. There are often questions related to being a student, health insurance, and living with parents. Below is information about the most common situations that arise; however, we recommend that you speak with a certified benefits counselor to discuss your unique situation.



Are you a student receiving SSI who wants to work?

Spotlight on Student Earned Income Exclusion



Are you receiving SSI as a child’s benefit?

Age 18 Benefits Check-UP & SSI Age 18 Redetermination



Are you receiving SSI as a child’s benefit and participating in an employment program?

Section 301 Factsheet



Wondering how you can save money for college?

Saving for Post-Secondary Education



What benefit concerns should I have when transitioning to adult benefits?

Social Security Benefits Issues Affecting Transition Age Youth

An August Occasion: Celebrating National ABLE Savings Day

by Charlie Hollins | August 14, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

This year August 14 marks, amongst other notable events, the 236th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Väräla which brought about an end to the Russo-Swedish War; exactly 124 years later the arrival of British Expeditionary Force in France saw the beginning of...

Priority Treatment: SSA Adds to the Compassionate Allowance List

by Charlie Hollins | August 11, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

A fresh press release from Social Security will provide some good news to potential beneficiaries who experience a range of disabilities. Fourteen relatively obscure conditions have been added to the agency’s Compassionate Allowance policy. The policy allows Social...

Won’t Get Food Again: SNAP Eligibility in Decline

by Charlie Hollins | August 7, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recent articles in The Atlantic and by NPR have highlighted the growing concern in the reduction in the number of food stamp beneficiaries over the past year. The current figure, as estimated by the Department of Agriculture, stands at around 37 million recipients,...

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Social Security Adds New Features to MySSA Accounts

by Charlie Hollins | July 24, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

A recent press release from Social Security looked to encourage applicants who have found themselves having to appeal a denial to use a My Social Security account when working through that process. Evidently very keen on getting you on board, the agency has produced a...

Summer Break: Maryland’s SUN Bucks Program

by Charlie Hollins | July 10, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Originally launched by Governor Wes Brown back in 2024 Maryland’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, which trades under the SUN Bucks title, is back for another year. SUN Bucks is the state’s provision to allow eligible families with children aged between 5...

Food Security: New EBT Cards Coming Soon!

by Charlie Hollins | May 22, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Maryland’s Department of Human Resources announced last week that they would be rolling out new Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards as part of a modernization plan designed to ward off food stamp thievery. The new cards will have the same capabilities as regular...

No Going Back: Medicaid Retroactive Eligibility Span Reduced

by Charlie Hollins | May 1, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

The Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 has provided this blog with a seemingly ceaseless font of bad news stories. Here’s another one. Currently someone applying for Medicaid can get retroactive coverage for up to three months prior to the date of application as long...

Working It Out: SNAP Eligibility Changes and Maryland’s Response

by Charlie Hollins | April 9, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

The current administration’s legislation on changes to work requirements for SNAP recipients are now in force and beneficiaries are feeling the effects. H.R.1’s new rules require non-exempt adults aged between 18 and 64 to show proof of employment, volunteering or job...

Centralized Planning: SSA Announces Administrative Changes to Disability Reviews

by Charlie Hollins | March 20, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

In a press release from last week Social Security made it known that they are in the process of transitioning how Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) will be conducted. If you receive SSDI or SSI you’ll probably be aware that, unless you have a Ticket to Work in use...

Spread the Word: Social Security Promotes ‘Slam the Scam’ 2026

by Charlie Hollins | February 27, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

National Consumer Protection week, which has been sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission since 1998, is soon to be upon us. It runs from March 1 to 7 and is designed to spread awareness and provide information to us, the consumers, on how to best safeguard our own...