Disablity Grants For Childrens

Disability benefits for children is a boon for families who cannot afford to take care of their disabled child, due to their low incomes levels. The following article will tell you about the disability benefits that are madDisabilities in children could range from conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome. So also, children might fall in the category of 'At Risk' which includes pre-term, emotional and behavioral problems. These problems lead to a distinct lack of stimulation in them, which can affect their overall growth and development.

These conditions are not confined to medical problems alone but could also include behavioral and learning disorders.e available and the eligibility procedures for the same. Apply Your Grants Today!!


It is generally difficult to get disability benefits for children. This is because the primary criteria and the conditions of the child on which these benefits are sought may change. For example if a child has an attack of asthma, it will hamper his growth and development. This will prevent him from participating in the normal day-to-day activities like other children (making him applicable for the disability benefits). When such a child applies for a SSI (Supplemental Security Insurance) disability procedure, the severity of the attack might be high at that point of time. But by the time it comes to the hearing stage, the grimness of the situation might have lessened or the child may have responded positively to medication. However, if the disabilities are something like Autism then that leaves no room for doubt.

It is generally misconstrued that there are no programs that cater to the needs of disabled children. This is not true. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two programs that work towards providing benefits to these children with disabilities. The programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).

Conditions for a Grant for Disabled Children

The conditions on which these disability benefits for children are granted are varied.

Income
The Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) has certain set income limits. In order for your child to be applicable for the disability benefits, the family income should not be more than $2000 on the whole. For this the SSI will take into account the family income, the bank account savings, other assets like properties, etc. If the total income is seen to exceed $ 2000 then the child is considered ineligible.

Payment
The payments to the disabled children are made on a monthly basis. These payments continue till the time the child turns eighteen. After which they are discontinued under the children's disability program because then the policy is evaluated under the adult listing category. The amount of payment depends on the family income.

Criteria
A child is considered disabled if his condition is such that he cannot involve himself in age appropriate activities like playing, etc. It therefore confines his functionality. This condition should last for a minimum of 1 year or should be expected to lead to death.

Prior to a hearing for availing disability benefits for children, the attorney will gather copies of a child's IEPs (Intensive English Program), achievement and testing reports, grade reports and fill out questionnaires from the child's teachers.

Reviewing Conditions
The condition of the child is reviewed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) every 3 years. This is done in cases when the child's condition is expected to improve. Thus reviewing becomes necessary because if the child's condition improves then he would no longer be applicable for the same.

Adult Status
The Social Security Administration reviews the condition of the child when he officially becomes an adult (18 years). If the child is still considered disabled, then adult SSDI benefits will be continued to be given. In that case all the benefits applicable in case of 'Adult SSDI benefits' shall apply. For example, these benefits are given to those who have been regularly paying the social security taxes and have become disabled recently.

Other Conditions
A child may also get these benefits if his parents were receiving the disability benefits and have died. These are called 'adult child' benefits. These benefits are given to those who have become disabled before they turned 22, thus being unable to build a work record. In such a case, where the parents have been paying social security taxes, the SSA grants these benefits as an insurance coverage for those services. It is considered as a child's benefit because it is paid as a part of the parents social security taxes.

When a child becomes eligible to receive SSI benefits he will be automatically enrolled for the Medicaid program of your state. This program will help you to make payments and afford the prescription medicines and/or other medical expenses involved. One can also see if there is a possibility to qualify for food stamps, which will go a long way in helping one out.

Disability benefits for children is definitely a great help for families who have disabled children. Knowing that there are programs and grants which are drawn out to help such children is a comforting feeling for people who have to suffer through the pain.

By Rujuta Borkar

source - buzzle.com/articles/disability-benefits-for-children.html



Wednesday 18 January 2012

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)


Early Bird Deadline is fast approaching
The CEC 2012 Convention & Expo, is April 11-14 in Denver -- have you registered yet? The clock is ticking: Register by Jan. 17 to save up to $100 off onsite registration with the Early Bird Discount.
Time for your free Tool of the Week: How Would I Feel? Worksheet
CEC's Tool of the Week is a free resource from CEC's first-rate publications that you can use NOW.Subscribe to Tool of the Week and you'll find a free tool in your inbox every Monday morning.
CEC Member, NCSER head Speece on special education research agenda
Deborah Speece, new Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), talkswith CEC Today about the agenda for special education research and the importance of remaining faithful to the research in the classroom.
CEC's Perspective on NCLB after 10 years
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is turning 10 this year. CEC was honored to be featured in Education Week's compilation of essays by education thought leaders sharing their perspectives on what the controversial law has meant to students, educators, and families.
Reality 101: Anticipation of the future
Richard shares his concerns about moving his students to the Common Core State Standards.
Sir Ken Robinson to Keynote CEC's 2012 Convention & Expo
Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity, and innovation, and author of the New York Timesbestselling book The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, will be keynote speaker at CEC's Convention & Expo.
CEC approves of Senate bill limiting restraint, seclusion
Sen. Tom Harkin has introduced the “Keeping All Students Safe Act,” to ensure students will “never be subjected to abusive or violent disciplinary strategies or [be] left alone and unsupervised.” The bill will set long-overdue standards to protect children from physical and psychological harm and ensure a safe learning environment for teachers and students alike.
Read CEC’s comments in Education Week
Read CEC’s policy on restraint & seclusion
CEC shares concerns about research budget with Ed Week
Senior director for Policy and Advocacy Lindsay Jones calls funding for NCSER the "engine for innovation," for special education and worries it will face further cuts.
Urge Congress to Restore Funding for Special Education ResearchWhile everyone has been forced to cut back, some changes have been more drastic than others. One area of real concern for the field of special education is research funding, which took a disproportionate hit in 2011 and must be restored. The fight isn't over - join us today! Send a message to Congress, telling them to restore funding for special education research now.
Meet CEC's new Board of Directors
The votes have been tallied and here are the results!  Meet our new board members, chosen from a field of extremely well qualified candidates who all displayed a deep commitment to the future of CEC and special education.
Ignoring the needs of disadvantaged students
A front-page Washington Post piece highlights the lack of diversity among the country's academic elite.  CEC's response to the piece  outlines the nation-wide implications for ignoring such talent and points out a key proposal that is lying dormant in Congress that would right this wrong.
Read CEC's response to the Post piece
Read the Washington Post pieceRead more about the Talent Act
Registration and Housing Now Open for the CEC 2012 Convention & Expo
CEC and the CEC 2012 Convention Program Chair, Dr. Douglas Cheney, invite you to join us for the premier professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education: the CEC 2012 Convention & Expo, April 11-14 in Denver. Learn more and register now.
CEC Seeks New Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services
The Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services, under the general direction of the Executive Director, is responsible for the leadership, direction and day-to-day management of all professional development service matters for the Council for Exceptional Children. View the full job description and requirements.
NCLB/ESEA Reauthorization Underway
Watch this space for information and updates on the reauthorization NCLB/ESEA, as well as opportunities to lend your voice to the process.  More details are always available on CEC's Policy Insider Blog.

Source: cec.sped.org
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Tuesday 10 January 2012

Disabled Facilities Grants Help

Disabled Facilities Grants

A Disabled Facilities Grant is a local council grant to help towards the cost of adapting your home to enable you to continue to live there. A grant is paid where the council considers the changes necessary to meet your needs - and is happy that the work is reasonable and practical.

Who is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

You can claim if you, or someone living in your property, is disabled and:
  • you, or the person on whose behalf you are applying, are either the owner or tenant (including licensees) of the property
  • you can certify that you, or the person on whose behalf you are applying, intend to occupy the property as your/their only or main residence throughout the grant period - currently five years
A landlord can apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.

What you can use it for

A grant can be used for essential adaptations to give you better freedom of movement into and around your home and/or to provide essential facilities within it.
If you are disabled, acceptable types of work include:
  • widening doors and installing ramps
  • providing or improving access to rooms and facilities - for example, by installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs bathroom
  • improving or providing a heating system which is suitable for your needs
  • adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
  • improving access to and movement around the home to enable you to care for another person who lives in the property, such as a child
An occupational therapist will look at your circumstances and can recommend the type of adaptation(s) needed.
The housing or environmental health department of your local council will be able to give you detailed information when you apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

How much do you get?

The amount paid is usually based on a financial assessment (a 'means test') of your average weekly income in relation to your outgoings - or 'assessed needs'. However, there is no means testing for families of disabled children under 19.
Means testing will take into account savings above a certain limit, but certain benefits - including Disability Living Allowance and/or Income Support - are generally ignored.
If you have a partner, your combined income will be assessed jointly. Capital is included in the means test. The first £6,000 of savings is disregarded.
A range of premiums and allowances is used for all essential outgoings, for example, rent/mortgage and personal expenditure. Actual outgoings are not taken into consideration.
Depending on the outcome of this assessment the amount of financial assistance offered can vary from 0 to 100 per cent of the cost.

How the award is worked out

The award works as follows:
  • if your income is less than your assessed needs you will not normally need to contribute to the cost of the works
  • if your income is more than your assessed needs, a proportion of your income will be used to calculate what size loan you could contribute towards the cost of the works
  • if this assessed loan amount is less than the cost of the works, the difference between the two is paid as a Disabled Facilities Grant

Maximum grant amount

£25,000 per application is the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant that a council is required to pay in England - less any assessed contribution from you.
If the cost of the eligible works is more, the council can use discretionary powers to increase the grant.

source:www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10018715

Tags: government grants disabled people,federal grants disabled people,free money disabled people,scholarships disabled people
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