Q: SSI payments are for unmarried children under age 18 who have a qualifying disability. A qualifying disability is defined as having a physical or mental impairment(s) which results in marked and severe functional limitations and has or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or result in death.  The SSA publishes a listing of impairments for children. If the child’s disability is on the list, then this is usually enough to establish that the child has a qualifying disability. However, the absence of a listing does not mean that the child cannot still be deemed sufficiently disabled for benefits.  SSA also publishes a “compassionate allowances” listing. The list allows SSI to get benefits quickly to those who invariably qualify. If the child's condition is listed in the “compassionate allowances” database, then your application will likely be approved quickly. The list of compassionate allowances can be found here. Along with the age and disability benefits, the household must qualify under income and asset guidelines. The SSA has a complex formula for determining who financially qualifies and does not qualify for benefits. Very generally, a child may qualify if their two-parent household has only earned monthly income below $4,158 or if their single-parent household has only earned monthly income below $3,424.  The income thresholds are too complicated to summarize here. If you have any question about whether your child is eligible, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or send an email at this page. The SSA will need a large amount of medical, financial and other information to review your eligibility. Keep the documents in a handy file because you will need to take them with you to your interview at the SSA. You should gather all of the following:  Name, address, and phone number of every doctor, therapist, hospital, and clinic that has seen or treated your child in the last year. Any medical records that you already have, including the dates the child was seen or treated and the child's patient ID numbers, if known. Medications the child is taking. These can be found on the medicine containers. Child's medical assistance number, if any. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any schools the child has attended in the past 12 months, including the names of teachers, psychologists, counselors, speech, and other therapists who have seen or treated the child. The child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for early intervention services or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for special education services, if your child has one. Also any other school records in your possession. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any social service program and the name of the caseworkers that have information about the child. Name, address, and phone number of another adult who helps care for the child and can help SSA get information, if necessary. An original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. If the child was born in a different country, then you need a document that serves as proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. You will also need information about your household, including financial information. You should gather the following:  Names and Social Security Numbers for all the children and adults who live in the household. Proof of current income for the child and family members living in the household, e.g., pay stubs, self-employment tax returns, unemployment or other program benefits, child support. Proof of resources for the child and parents living in the household, e.g., bank account statements, life insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, etc. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any employers the child has had.
A: Understand the eligibility criteria. Gather necessary documentation. Gather information about the family's finances.

Q: Aside from earning, investment is the most important part of building assets. Savings bonds, certificate of deposit accounts (CDs), and treasuries are steady, low-risk investments.  Use these forms of investment if you are saving for something you will need to pay for within 5 years, like a car, a wedding, or education expenses.  You will not make as much money from them as you would through buying stocks, but you are also not likely to lose money. There are a variety of retirement accounts, like 401Ks and IRAs. Learn about the different options and open accounts that fit your needs. Many people hold several different kinds of retirement accounts, so don’t limit yourself to just one.  Set aside a percentage of every paycheck for your retirement accounts. The more frequently you contribute to them the more likely you are to reach your retirement goals. Setting aside 10-15% of each paycheck for retirement is usually a good goal, though you should make a plan that works for your financial needs. Retirement accounts often have annual contribution limits. Make sure you understand any restrictions on your retirement account and make your budget accordingly. Your employer may have retirement benefits you can take advantage of, such as matching contributions to a retirement account. Ask your boss at work to find out. The stock market can be risky over a short period, but if you hold onto stocks for 5 years or more you can often see a significant return on your investment. Index funds are usually the safest stock market portfolios to hold onto for a long period of time. Research real estate markets thoroughly before deciding if you want to invest in property. Outside of buying your own home, you should purchase real estate only if you won’t need to take on considerable debt. Like stocks, real estate can appreciate well over time, but you should plan to hold onto your investment for over 5 years.  You can create another revenue stream by purchasing rental properties. Keep in mind, though, that you will have to pay for the upkeep of the property. Always be cautious when purchasing real estate, as it costs money to maintain and can sometimes be a risky investment. Never purchase real estate if you don’t think you have enough income to cover all the costs of it, like repairs, insurance, and property taxes. Avoid purchasing real estate in areas where property does not sell easily. You want to be able to get your money out of investment properties if necessary. Areas where houses sell quickly and raise significantly in value over time usually make for the best investments. Many banks have dedicated advisors you can speak with to help you learn how to build your assets and meet your financial goals. Look on your bank’s website to see if they offer this service and to make an appointment. If your bank does not offer financial advising, research institutions that do. Financial advisors usually charge fees, but these fees vary depending on the institution. Some advisors charge a percentage of the assets they help you manage, some charge by the hour, and others make you pay them a retainer for continued services. Ask advisors about what fees they will charge before you do business with them.
A: Invest money you will need within 5 years in safe assets like bonds. Open retirement accounts and contribute to them routinely. Invest money you will not need for over 5 years in the stock market. Buy real estate if you can afford it. Consult a financial advisor if you need special guidance.

Q: Use the same essential oil that you started with to refresh your potpourri. If you can’t remember what you used or you don’t have it anymore, use an essential oil fragrance that complements what it used to smell like. There will probably be a little bit of essential oil left in your mix, so the scents will combine slightly.  Lemon oil and orange oil are great for citrus potpourri. Rose or lavender oil are both good for floral potpourri.
A:
Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to your potpourri.