December 13, 2024
Written by Noelle Ellerson Ng, AESA Associate Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy
Earlier this month, the Social Security Administration released a Dear Colleague Letter for the release of their School Professionals and Survivors Benefits Toolkits, designed to help increase awareness of their benefit programs.
School Professionals Toolkit
The Social Security Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments for Children: A Guide for School Professionals Toolkit increases awareness about benefits for students, children with disabilities, and foster youth. The toolkit includes information about:
- Eligibility requirements;
- Types of evidence we need from teachers and other school professionals;
- How to apply; and
- Benefits for students in foster care.
Survivors Benefits Toolkit
The Social Security Survivors Benefits Toolkit – A Guide for Organizations increases awareness about benefits for survivors after the loss of a family member. This toolkit includes information about:
- Eligibility requirements;
- Types of evidence we need; and
- How to apply.
They also released YouTube videos about How Social Security Survivors Benefits Work and a personal testimony about how survivors benefits can support families. Both toolkits include ready-to-go communications, which you can use to help raise awareness, including a sample email blast or newsletter article and social media posts.