These two line charts show the number of children under age 18 receiving SSI and their average monthly payment from 1974 to 2002. The first chart, showing the number of children, is fully described in the main text. The second chart tracks their average monthly payment amount. It shows a steady increase from $110 in 1974 to $488 in 2002, except for a spike in the data in 1992 as a result of the Sullivan v. Zebley decision. The retroactive payments resulting from that decision caused the average monthly payment amount to jump from $400 in 1990 to $611 in 1992, before dropping back to $430 in 1994.
