I’m 67 drawing SS. I have custody of my disabled granddaughter who receives SSI and medicaid. I’m
Going back to court to get full custody. Should I ask to adopt her and if I do will she lose her SSI because I also receive a VA disability & a teacher state Retirement. I don’t want her to lose her check or her Medicaid because of the cost of Tricare. Her mother is also receiving SSI. There is no father in the picture.

Hi,

That depends in part on your granddaughter's age. If she's under age 18, then your income and resources could be deemed as available for your granddaughter's support if you adopt her. That could cause her to become ineligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) depending on the amount of your income and resources (i.e. available assets). You may want to try checking with an SSI technical expert at your nearest Social Security office to see if they can tell you what effect an adoption might have on your granddaughter's SSI eligibility.

If your granddaughter is age 18 or older, then your income and resources would not be used as a determining factor of her SSI eligibility even if you adopt her.

Best, Jerry