A home school need not be accredited by a State to be considered an EI for the purpose
of paying student benefits. To determine whether a home school meets the definition
of an EI for the payment of student benefits, SSA looks to the State laws (and court
cases interpreting State laws).
In addition to the State requirements, the home schooled student must meet all the
Federal requirements of full-time attendance. There is also a Federal requirement
that if the curriculum is a correspondence course, the parent or guardian (or someone
else within the home) must instruct the student, administer tests, maintain attendance
records, etc. See RS 00205.275, step 6.