Active Cases

Member Family Receives Benefits

by Nicholas Bolzman

In addition to handling court cases, HSLDA’s litigation department also pursues benefits appeals on behalf of members wrongly denied Social Security benefits because of homeschooling.

One recent case reinstated benefits of over $1,000 per month to a family in Michigan. Our member family writes:

Congratulations to you and the staff at HSLDA. Your experience evidently has made the difference, where people like myself could easily get bogged down trying to understand a system we hardly ever have contact with. . . . As parents, [we] are grateful for the opportunity to have homeschooled our children. The peace we have enjoyed as members of HSLDA has made a potentially rough ride smooth sailing.

To all our members, thank you for the support and encouragement you continue to give us.

Truancy Charges for “Missing” Test Scores

by Nicholas Bolzman

State law in Oregon requires students to be tested only in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, but recently one school district needed to be reminded of this. After not receiving a homeschooled student's test result last fall, this district claimed that the student had been truant for the entire school year and initiated a truancy petition.

However, the girl was in 6th grade last fall, and therefore was not required to take a test. The required test the previous year had been submitted, but the district was unable to find it.

Her family contacted HSLDA for help, and our attorneys were able to successfully intervene. With less than a week before the court date, we explained Oregon law to the school district, including why 6th graders are not required to take standardized tests. Then, for good measure, we advised the family to resubmit last year’s test scores, along with a new notice of intent, so the district’s records would be current. As a result, the district agreed to drop the proceedings and the case was dismissed.

Pending Cases

AL B Family v. Social Security Administration

AZ Loudermilk Family v. Administration for Children, Youth & Families

CA L Family v. Social Security Administration

CA M Family v. County of San Bernardino

CA S Family v. County of Los Angeles

DC In re: DP

FL B Family v. Florida High School Athletic Association

GA In re: JM

HI A Family v. Department of Veterans Affairs

IN S Family v. Social Security

KS In re: A & CC

NM In re: BW

NY New York v. C Family

OH Ohio v. V Family

PA Newborn v. Franklin Regional School District

TX K Family v. Social Security Administration

WA F Family v. Department of Veterans Affairs