I am again looking for ideas. I too have an autistic child who 10 years old she also has adhd,low muscle tone and anxiety. She was just been approved for SSI. She is going to receive back pay and I have to put it into the dedicated account. OK that that is great it's hers OK but they say I can use it only for nursing care, school, .personal needs (not food,clothes,or utilities or therapy or rehabilitation assistance , OK well she is 10 and autism camp is great idea! she doesn't need nurses or wheelchairs etc. so how can I use this money to benefit her?? Any ideas? I wish I could use it to get her school clothes and things. And I too need my car fixed but have no idea what I can and cannot do. The list is not very clear and social security is not helpful.
Anyone know how to use this money? She does has violent fits and destroyed furniture can this be used for this? Please tell me how to use this?How did others use it? Help!!This is not ssdi or adult ssi.

You are her payee. That means you can use the money FOR HER. I really don't think that it can't be used to buy her clothes, etc. I know that at the end of the year, you have to fill out a form detailing how you used the money.

Keep posting here, someone will come along and advise you. I think the person who told you that you can't use it for clothes are way off.

Anyone else know the answer???

Melody

Hi again:

I just looked into this further. Found this:

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The past–due payments will be deposited directly into that "dedicated account", and the use of these funds is restricted.

You can use the money only for the following expenses:
medical treatment; and education or job skills training.

We also allow the following expenses, if they benefit the child and are related to the child's impairment:

personal needs or assistance (e.g., in–home nursing care needed);
special equipment;
housing modification;
therapy or rehabilitation; or
other items or services approved by your local Social Security office, like legal fees incurred by the child in establishing a claim for disabled child's benefits.

You may not use these monies for basic monthly maintenance costs such as food, clothing, or shelter.

You should use the regular monthly benefit for the child's food, clothing, or shelter.

If there are any questions on use of the funds, contact your local Social Security office.


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So I gather that there are specific rules for BACK PAY, that are separate from the monthly money you will receiving on her behalf. The monthly check can be used for clothes, food, etc. The back-pay can only be used for (what was indicated). Sounds stupid to me, and maybe you can get better answers from people on this forum who have been there and done that.

I wish you the best of luck

Melody

finding children in need at McDonald's. But education of Special Ed kids is what I did.

Most areas have an autism organization and you may want to inquire there. Some offer respite care, I don't know if this is a cost or free and I once was a private employee of a family to try a behavior learning treatment on their autsitic child making @35 an hour. An autistic child is entitled to full educational service and that includes therapies, PT, OT and psychological as required by their IEP. An advocate can be found by organizations as needed (I think free) as school board may not to offer services as they are expensive and parents don't always know their rights. There is a federal law, PL 94-142 guaranteeing these rights but local schools are not always good at offering. This is not a state law, but a federal one. As a Special ED teacher when at home with my own children I often went on to advocate after finding children in need at McDonald's. But education of Special Ed kids is what I did. You. the parent are the child's best advocate and googling IEP. specific handicaps, etc . atChildren in a hospital service if teacher not supplying work,hospital, at home, etc. due to physical or mental illness problems are entitled to educational services. I also worked as a home tutor for a variety of children who could not attend school for various reasons.