I can understand cutting some disability benefits. Those would be children with IEP's meaning they are in special classes at school. These children are learning disabled so they are getting the special teacher they need with an educational program made just for that child. There aren't any needs that are not being met. They get free glasses if they need them, free breakfast, lunches and nurses on call for them. But, each mother receives hundreds of dollars each month from SSDI...for each child they have enrolled in the smaller classes. That amounts to close to a thousand a month for big families. They have no need for this money, all are getting food stamps. Section 8 housing, Medicaid, free clothing often..
Think of how many students are in these classes throughout the nation. The real extra cost for these children are the smaller classes that meet their needs. And that is covered by IDEA and Title I.
When children need special equipment, they get it from different funds.
Having an IEP does not mean the child is disabled, nor does it depend on income.... only that they need an Individual Education Plan (IEP) Not all kids with IEP's are disabled or qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Any income, such as SSI, is deducted from food stamp allotments for that household. Unearned income (SSI & certain others) only a percentage is deducted. AND kids receiving SSI receive a smaller amount than an adult. To qualify for SSI, the child must be under 18 and blind &/or disabled according to Social Security Administration (SSA) rules.
What I find is hilarious is that not one person I have read on this thread realizes that SSDI and Social Security that you contribute out of your paycheck have not a damn thing to do with one another. They come from two different funding sources.
SSDI=Social Security Disability Income-Must have worked and paid into the fund and to qualify for disability payments, must have earned a certain number of credits that equals about 10 years employment.
SSI-Supplemental Security Income-for low income and/or those who have not worked required number of years/credits, yet are determined disabled according to SSA rules. States have a lot more say in SSI cases.