HSLDA helped two Texas families cut through red tape to restore Social Security benefits for their teens a few months ago, in an unusually speedy turnaround.

These cases often take months or even years to resolve. For the Campbell and Brown families (names changed for privacy), our legal team was able to prompt Social Security to re-issue funds.

“Advocating for students whose benefits have been wrongfully curtailed has become one of our specialties,” noted Peter Kamakawiwoole, HSLDA director of litigation. “We have dozens of cases we’re working on across the country. It’s always gratifying to help restore funding that individual families not only qualify for, but rely on as an important resource for homeschooling.”

Wrongful Termination

The dilemma faced by the Campbell and Brown families developed in familiar fashion. Both have students who are seniors in high school. In advance of these teens’ 18th birthdays, their respective parents received packets from Social Security with instructions for sending in paperwork to extend the students’ benefits.

The Campbells’ daughter was receiving funds supplementing parental disability payments. The Browns’ daughter was receiving funds as the survivor of a deceased parent.

According to Social Security policy, these payments stop when a student turns 18. Funding can be extended until age 19 if the student is still attending high school.

The Campbell and Brown families submitted paperwork to continue benefits because their respective teens, both 18, don’t plan to graduate until the spring of this year. Inexplicably, Social Security terminated funds for both students.

Making it Right

That’s when HSLDA stepped in. We contacted Social Security on behalf of the families, explaining what Texas law requires for homeschooling and helping compile documents affirming the families are following the law.

“We run into a lot of issues in Texas,” said Beth Taber, HSLDA senior litigation assistant. “Families in Texas aren’t required to submit any kind of notice or other documents in order to homeschool. This lack of a paper trail sometimes confuses Social Security officials.”

Taber said our legal team addressed this situation by drawing up a statement of compliance signed by the parents, accompanied by documents describing their students’ homeschool program for the year. This included a list of courses and an attendance schedule.

We helped the Campbells and Browns file appeals in late October and mid-November. Both families had payments restored before Christmas.

“What a lovely holiday surprise!” Beth recalled thinking upon hearing the news. “Every family matters, and it was amazing to help play a role in seeing these get a well-deserved and welcome blessing at the perfect time.”