[ Law & Ethics ] Open Question : if some one i know file a application for ssi in april,how long does it take for a decision to be made ?

some one i know filed for their ssi on april 12,2010 ,how long does it take for the social security to make a decision about their claim, and the person that filed for ssi has a son who stays with his grand parents ,is he entiled to recieve ssi or not? what is the maxium check that a person who recieves ssi can recieve ?