People with autism are more intelligent and better able to function than previously believed. The erroneous beliefs come from biased test and a long history of assumptions. IQ tests used to estimate the intelligence of people with autism have relied heavily on verbal abilities, which in many cases lag far behind other forms of intelligence, such as spatial and logical.

Go to the Social Security Administration to see the new eligibility and penalty figures for Supplemental Security Income recipients in 2006. Or just read here!

Maximum benefits for California recipients will be $836 per month (the federal benefit is only $603 but California and some other states provide supplements to increase the benefit level).

The maximum reduction for recept of “stuff” (in-kind support and maintenance — not cash) is $221. That means that if a parent or a special needs trust buys stuff for an SSI recipient, that recipient will have his or her $836 reduced dollar for dollar for the value of those benefits but only up to a maximum of $221.00. So a person with a special needs trust that spends $225 or $2,000 or $20,000 per month on her will still receive an SSI benefit of $615 ($836 minus $221).

Thanks to Steve Dale of The Dale Law Firm for the link!