--- title: Can kids with severe learning issues get government assistance? description: Are kids with dyslexia and other learning issues eligible for Supplemental Security Income? Learn about the requirements for getting SSI. An expert explains. slug: can-kids-with-severe-learning-differences-get-government-assistance author: Patricia H. Latham, JD published: '2019-08-05T15:48:57.568Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/EE442179002E48618285E7B70A3778CD/590374c85750af83e817af634a635095/6228886.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-kids-with-severe-learning-differences-get-government-assistance lang: en --- # Can kids with severe learning issues get government assistance? **Q. My son is severely dyslexic. He has other challenges, too. I’m worried about his ability to support himself when he finishes school. Is there some type of government assistance he can get because he has a learning disability?** **A. **The answer is *maybe*. It depends on whether your son qualifies for assistance under certain government programs. The main one is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a federal program that provides money for food, clothing, and shelter to people with disabilities. Learning differences could be covered under this program if they’re severe enough. (SSI calls them “learning problems.”) To qualify, your son has to meet strict requirements. Some of these are financial. SSI is designed to help people with disabilities who have little income or resources. But income doesn’t just include earnings from work. It also includes unemployment benefits. Even things like owning savings bonds and living rent-free with a relative get factored in. There are also several medical requirements. And these are slightly different for children than for adults. Is your son is under 18? Then his disability needs to result in “severe functional limitations” for him to get SSI. Length of time also matters. His impairment needs to have lasted or be expected to last continuously for at least a year. The rules are similar for someone 18 or older. But the focus isn’t on functional limitations. It’s on earning money from a job. To qualify for SSI, your son would need to be unable to do any “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). This means his average monthly earnings would need to be below a certain amount. This earnings cap is pretty low. Since the start of 2014, earnings of over $1,070 a month are generally considered to be SGA. (This provision doesn’t apply to people who are blind.) A person who is approved for SSI may also qualify for Medicaid and for food stamps. But the big takeaway is that [to qualify for SSI](https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm), your child needs to have a severe impairment and limited income and resources. The other program I wanted to mention is [vocational rehabilitation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/vocational-rehab-what-you-need-to-know) (VR). This helps people with disabilities get or keep a job. Services may include such things as career counseling, job placement, and on-the-job training. To be eligible, your son’s issues would need to result in his being unable to get or hold a job. There may also be a financial needs test for some VR services. Some people may receive all services at no charge. Other people may have to pay for some services. If your son has an IEP, this kind of vocational training may be discussed as part of his [IEP transition planning](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/iep-transition-planning-preparing-for-young-adulthood). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Long-term financial planning for a child with special needs](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/long-term-financial-planning-for-child-with-special-needs) - - Financial planning for a child with special needs requires unique approaches. - You may want to consider setting up a special needs trust to help protect your childs access to government benefits. - Certain lawyers have expertise in special needs estate planning. Some kids with profound learni - [FAQs about tax deductions and kids with learning disabilities](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/faqs-about-tax-deductions-and-learning-disabilities) - Learn ways you may be able to deduct costs related to your child’s learning and thinking differences. - [Summer learning programs for kids who learn and think differently](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/summer-learning-programs-for-kids-who-learn-and-think-differently) - - Many districts are trying to make summer school more fun and engaging. - Some kids may be eligible for special education services during the summer. - Summer learning options can range from free programs at public schools or libraries to pricey specialized camps. 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