Hi all! Ian is away at a summer program at an autism college for the summer, so I’m cruising through book writing. I have about 40,000 words now with a goal of 60,000 words. I’m done with Chapter 5 and working on Chapter 6. Chug, chug, chug. 

This is the second half of chapter 5, which gives some basic instructions for parents about filling out the paperwork. I published the first half last week. 

A recent report found that 225,333 students (ages 3-21) in New Jersey currently have IEPs, but only 26,726 individuals (ages 21-100) are currently receiving DDD payments. We don’t know how many adults who formerly had IEPs are employed and don’t need DDD. We don’t know if people aren’t getting DDD services because they couldn’t finish the paperwork or because they are gainful employed. But the huge difference in numbers is indicative of a problem. 

I hope everyone is having a great summer! Webinars start up again in the fall. No paywall today. 

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Second Part of Chapter 5

What can you do with SSI money?

At the end of the SSI process, a disabled adult will receive around $600 per month, if he lives with his parents. He’ll receive about another $300 per month, if he’s living alone or parents charge him rent. Funds will go directly to the individual, not the parents. In one year, that comes to $7,200.

Set up a bank account in your child’s name, which can be accessed by you. The government will send the funds directly to the bank. Checks arrive bimonthly with no paperwork. The good news is that you’ll probably never speak to a government official again. Yes, it was hell getting into the system, but once you’re in, everything just happens automatically unless funds exceed limits or the individual no longer needs help.

Read more at the Great Leap, my autism newsletter