SSI claims are filed with the Social Security Administration. DCFS as legal guardian of children in foster care is the appropriate agency to file the SSI applications. DCFS has contracted to handle Social Security matters, including SSI, for children in foster care. Referrals can be sent to DCFS at 217-524-6186, who will forward the referral to the current contractor. The contractor will review a child’s records to decide if he or she is a candidate for SSI. They welcome referrals from caregivers. They will prepare the application packages and send them to DCFS for the signature of the Guardianship Administrator. DCFS forwards the application packages to Social Security. The disability decisions are made by the Department of Human Services (DHS) - Bureau of Disability Determinations Services, located in Springfield.

They also file appeals of denied claims, if they feel the denial of benefits is not correct. Also, if a case is approved, Social Security must review the case periodically to see if the child continues to be eligible. These reviews are called Continuing Disability Reviews. There are forms required for these reviews if a child is still in foster care when the review comes up on the Social Security schedule.