Social Security payments are a benefit usually associated with seniors, but parents of qualified diverse learners of any age in Lake County schools can receive up to $963 a month to benefit those children.
Youths under the age of 18 with a physical or mental impairment — or a combination of both — resulting in a “severe limitation of functioning” are eligible, such as some students in diverse-learning school programs, according to U.S. Social Security guidelines.
A child who is blind automatically qualifies, according to the guidelines.
Tim Kirschner, the parent and community partnership coordinator in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, said the program is designed for children who may not be able to achieve sustained gainful activity. Not all diverse learners qualify.
“For students living with a parent or guardian, this can be used for food and shelter,” Kirschner said. “It is a very good support for them. They can get it until the day before the child’s 22nd birthday.”
Parents of diverse learners in District 60 heard how they can receive Social Security payments to benefit those children and more on Monday during a virtual meeting designed to let them know how to take advantage of the benefit.
Kirschner said there are approximately 2,000 diverse learners in the district, which has an enrollment of nearly 14,000 students. Some of the diverse learners are eligible for Social Security and others are not. The precise number is not known by the district.
Unlike students in the general education program, Kirschner said some diverse learners continue their schooling through their 21st year developing skills necessary to find employment.
While Social Security benefits for seniors are earned through years of working for wages or salaries, Megan Forristall, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, said funds going to people with disabilities are need-based.
Though recipients must have limited income or few resources, Forristall said a good way to get started is with a phone call. A Social Security representative can advise callers if they are likely recipients.
“Let us screen you to see if you qualify,” she said. “You have to tell us pretty much everything.”
Since a disabled child living with a parent or parents could be working, Forristall said the income of both the parents and the child is considered before awarding Social Security benefits. Child support is considered income when evaluating the situation.
As soon as a parent believes their child may qualify for Social Security, she said they should apply. Payments start the month after an application is approved. Back pay for the time a person was disabled before applying is not covered.
“As soon as you apply, you are eligible the next month,” Forristall said. “We’re going to go back to that date.”
Though medical records will be checked, she said there are “presumptive” conditions that will result in payments the following month. Should the application not be approved after months of review, the recipient will not have to repay the money.
In districts like Waukegan’s, where all students qualify for free breakfast and lunch because of the average income of families, and a majority are at or below the poverty level, many are likely to qualify.
With 22% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch in North Shore School District 112 serving Highland Park and Highwood, Superintendent Mike Lubelfeld said in a text some families there benefit from the program.
“The Student Services Team regularly supports families with government programs, paperwork, applications and resources,” he said in the text.
Forristall made it clear the beneficiary is the student or minor. Since they are too young to legally receive the payment, a parent or guardian becomes the payee. The payee is required to account for the funds on a regular basis.
There are requirements for the use of the funds. She said the maintenance expenses include housing, food, clothing, medical care, personal care items and “reasonably foreseeable needs.”
Each year, Forristall said there is a cost-of-living adjustment. Lubelfeld said the annual increase is welcomed by the families in the district.
“Learning that the federal government will increase for a cost-of-living (adjustment) is welcome for our families who will greatly benefit from the program adjustment,” he said.
