Age 18
At age 18, youth with disabilities become adults with disabilities, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with adulthood. Adults with disabilities may also become eligible for benefits and services that they did not receive before age 18.
- Use information already on MAF "Guardianship" page but with the above heading instead.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. In Michigan, SSI beneficiaries are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
- Social Security Administration
- Online SSI Application
- The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Application Process (No link provided in source data)
- The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Appeals Process (No link provided in source data)
- Compassionate Allowances identifies severe medical conditions and diseases that meet standards for disability benefits based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone
- Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for those who want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. Services offered include job coaching, job counseling, training, benefits counseling and job placement.
- Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) is a step-by-step process to assist people with disabilities who are receiving Social Security benefits with understanding how employment will affect benefits they may receive. WIPA also helps beneficiaries to understand how they can increase their financial independence.
- Disability Benefits 101 has short videos (and other resources) about working and receiving Social Security benefits.
Once approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will be enrolled automatically in Medicaid. Most services for adults with disabilities are covered by Medicaid.
- For people who are already enrolled in Medicaid, the Medicaid Beneficiary helpline is 800-642-3195 or beneficiarysupport@michigan.gov.
- For people who need information about enrolling in Medicaid, the Michigan Enrolls phone number is 800-975-7630, and the Medicaid application is available through the Mi Bridges website.
Community Mental Health (CMH) Services is responsible for providing services to people with severe mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. CMH services are often paid for by Medicaid.
Services in Michigan are coordinated through local Community Mental Health Services Programs, which can sometimes go by names other than “Community Mental Health.” CMH services differ depending on where you live. CMHs might provide direct services, or they may contract with separate agencies to provide services. Either way, contact your local CMH to get started.
The Michigan Mental Health Code establishes the right for all individuals to have their Individual Plan of Service developed through a person-centered planning process regardless of age, disability or residential setting.
- Person-Centered Planning Policy
- Person Centered Planning Home and Community Based Services Rule — Guide for Families
Every person who receives public mental health services has certain rights to protect them. Your rights specific to mental health services are identified in the Michigan Mental Health Code, the law that governs the delivery of public mental health and developmental disability services in Michigan.
- Office of Recipient Rights MDHHS
- Your Rights When Receiving Mental Health Services in Michigan
- Michigan Behavioral Health Mediation Services offers independent mediation to resolve matters related to your experience with CMH or Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan services.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) administers several programs that may be useful for adults with disabilities.
- Home Help Services provides funding for qualified individuals to hire someone to assist them with their daily activities. It is designed to support individuals who wish to live independently in their home rather than in an adult foster care home, home for the aged or nursing facility.
- Food Assistance is available for eligible low-income individuals. This program uses MI Bridges to apply.
- Health care coverage, such as Medical Assistance or Medicaid, is available to those who cannot afford it. Medicaid frequently funds adult CMH services.
- Medical Assistance
- Mi Bridges Application
- Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (including waiver programs)
- State Disability Assistance provides cash assistance to eligible adults with disabilities and caregivers.
If you believe that MDHHS made a decision that is wrong, you have the right to ask for an administrative hearing. Most hearing requests must be in writing and signed by you. Requesting a Food Assistance Program hearing can be done in person or by phone. An MDHHS specialist can provide more information about the hearing rules and appeals process.
People with disabilities have the same right to vote as people without disabilities. This is true even if you have a guardian. Poll workers are not qualified to determine someone’s capacity to vote, and a person with a disability cannot be turned away from the polls. Mail-in ballots are another way to access the voting process.
At age 18, males are required to register with Selective Service, also known as the U.S. military draft program.
Contact the office for students with disabilities at your trade school or college to request accommodations.
At age 18, young adults can request disability accommodations in the workplace on their own.
- ADA National Network’s Guide to Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
- Understood.org: How to ask for a workplace accommodation
- Job Accommodation Network: Sample Language for Accommodation Request Letters
- Michigan Alliance for Families Employment information (link back to Employment section on 16-year-old page)
If you would like to apply for a driver’s license, you can visit the Secretary of State website for more information:
- What is driver rehabilitation?
Driver rehabilitation means learning to drive a vehicle with an illness, injury, physical disability, learning disability or neurological disability. It is a type of occupational therapy. Some providers specialize in autism and ADHD, while others specialize in adaptive equipment. Driver rehabilitation can be a transition service in IEP transition planning, or it can be a skill-building service covered in an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) through vocational rehabilitation starting at age 14 years and 8 months. Families can ask their IEP team or vocational counselor about finding a local provider.
