Margie Said:

Do children with language and learning disabilities qualify for SSI?

We Answered:

Let's start with your 3 year old. No. At 3 many kids have language delays, and unless he was not talking at all, his delay would not be considered severe enough for SSI. Unless there are ingoing medical issues is is very hard to get SSI for a pre-school child. My son did not really speak until about 5 and in the interim he used ASL. At 27, he still remembers some of what he learned and enjoys using it.

The 5 year old is possible, but unlikely. A little delay does not get you benefits. But I would be highly suspicious of anyone suggesting a kindergartener be placed in special education. Special education services might be necessary, but not a special ed classroom. Your 5 year old's delay will be be caught up with quicker if he is among peers to catch up to. Very few kids belong in special ed classes and many that re in them are held back from maturing when they are. Your son is exactly the type of child who NEEDS inclusive education.

Darlene Said:

I want to take singing lessons, but i'm not sure how to approach my parents about it?!?

We Answered:

Tell them that you want to take lessont and that it is just for funn:)

Alfredo Said:

Does my child qualify for disability?

We Answered:

This comes from the Child Disability Starter Kit - Fact Sheet (link below) at the Social Security website:

Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children.

The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and
The condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.
A state agency makes the disability decision. They review the information you give us. They will also ask for information from medical and school sources and other people who know about the child.

If the state agency needs more information, they will arrange an examination or test for the child, which we will pay for.

From my personal experience, fill out the online Child Disability Report (link below) at social security. This is so when you set up an interview to apply for SSI it will save you time. It takes about 2 hrs to fill out, but if you do not do it online you will have to do it during the interview process. You do not have to fill out the whole report at once, they will give you a number that you can use to complete the report at a later time, and you'll need that number when you do the interview if you choose to do the report online. You should have the choice of doing the interview at your local social security office or through the phone with someone from your local social security office. The best thing you can do is provide as much information as you can about your childs disabilities. Have copies of every assestment, etc. The more information you provide the more likely they'll get approved and approved on the first application. A lot of applications get denied the first time around. SSI is based of your family income and family size so even if the child may qualify according to their disabilities, they may not qualify according to your family income and size. On the child disability report page they have the 800 number to the national office so you can call to set up an appointment, link to the local security offices to set up an appointment, and other options to do the child disability report if you do not want to do it online.

Under the no child left behind act each school has a grade rating, if their school has a c rating and have been placed on the state's "in need of improvement" list for two or more years, students are eligible to receive free supplemental educational services such as tutoring. The child must be enrolled in a Title I school. You would need to contact the principal of your school or the local school district headquarters for further information.