| Disability makes one feel equally miserable about | | | | considered children and the ones above as adults by |
| oneself irrespective of his social stature, earnings and | | | | the SSA. To be eligible for the SSI the rules are much |
| age. But as the time passes by one gets accustomed | | | | the same for children and adults, but 'disability' in case |
| to things, adjusts to the surrounding and starts living. | | | | of children is by definition more accommodating than |
| Enjoying more and more, and complaining less and less | | | | the one employed for the adults. |
| one goes about the curious business of living. That's, | | | | The amount one gets as SSI is meant to meet one's |
| loosely speaking, the 'philosophical' part of the story | | | | very basic needs because it is assumed that a |
| though I don't claim to be philosopher of any sort | | | | disabled person may not be able to earn enough. The |
| whatsoever. | | | | need of one person living in a certain condition may be |
| Now the harder part. The philosophical distinction | | | | different from another in another set of circumstances. |
| between childhood disability and adult disability is also | | | | Therefore, the amount payable also differs. For |
| reflected in the disability benefits one is entitled to, albeit | | | | instance, it is estimated that the disabled children living |
| in a slightly different fashion. To put it straight, the law | | | | with their parents in the State of California need a sum |
| makes a distinction between the disabled below and | | | | of $722 per month. For those who are blind the |
| above 18 years of age. | | | | amount is higher at $ 901, as their expenses are higher. |
| Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a social benefit | | | | If, in the opinion of the authorities, you have money to |
| program instituted by the Social Security Administration | | | | spend on your basic needs in view of your sources of |
| (SSA). The SSA pays a monthly sum to those whose | | | | income, the amount is deducted from the payable sum |
| income is lower on account of old age, blindness or | | | | and what remains is what you get for the SSI. |
| disability. Most of those under 18 years of age are | | | | |