How to Qualify for Autism Social Security Disability Benefits
Because symptoms vary from person to person, Social Security uses a specific method to evaluate autism disability claims.
When you apply for disability, you need extensive medical documentation of both of the following issues:
- Severe difficulties in verbal communication, nonverbal communication and social interaction</strong
- Restrictive and repetitive behaviors, interests and activities
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also needs to see an extreme limitation of one or a significant limitation of two of these areas of mental functioning:
- Understanding, remembering or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, staying focused on tasks, and completing tasks on time
- Regulating emotions and controlling behavior
Social Security won’t just take your word about the severity of your symptoms. You must provide confirmation and documentation from health care providers who have worked with you, including autism evaluations and treatment records that show your limitations. It’s not easy getting a disability claim approved.
The Barnes Disability lawyers know how difficult this can be, and what to do about it.
We’ve helped people in St. George, Lehi, Salt Lake City and across Utah, including clients with autism, when they couldn’t work and needed benefits.
We will do everything we can to show how autism interferes with your everyday life and ability to work and support yourself.
What Types of Disability Benefits Can People with Autism Qualify For?
Social Security has different forms of disability benefits that people with autism can receive if they prove they can’t work. Which one you’ll be eligible for depends on your work background, financial situation and age.
You could qualify for:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): These benefits are for people who have been working and paying into Social Security. Even part-time work may be enough to get the credits you need to qualify, especially if you are still in your 20s. If you receive SSDI, you will also qualify to enroll in Medicare earlier than normal.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): You can get SSI benefits even if you haven’t worked or paid into the system, but there are strict rules about how much you can have in financial resources and assets. For someone with autism who hasn’t worked much or in a long time, SSI may be the right option.
Disabled Adult Child (DAC): This is another form of SSDI benefits. Someone over 18 whose medical impairments began before age 22 could qualify for disability benefits under the DAC program. This is for people who’ve had limiting conditions from a young age, have never had substantial work, and have a parent who did work but is now retired, disabled or deceased. Many people with autism fit into this group. In this case, your parents’ history of working and paying into Social Security makes you eligible as long as you meet the health requirements.
The Barnes Disability lawyers can tell you which kinds of benefits you could receive and help you build a convincing disability claim.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Disability Claim for Autism
The SSA doesn’t make it easy to get benefits partly because claim examiners want to prevent fraud. But the high standards set by the government can also trip up people with legitimate disability claims.
Our Utah disability attorneys know how hard it can be to convince the SSA that you need benefits for autism, and we have plenty of experience showing the difference between a manageable issue and serious limitations that interfere with your ability to work.
Most people get denied by Social Security, but most of our clients get approved.
Don’t go through this process alone. Let Barnes Disability Advocates help you:
- Organize and identify important medical evidence that can back up your claim
- Fill out forms and avoid common mistakes that could delay or derail your benefits
- Appeal if your initial application is denied
- Prepare you for your disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ)
- Protect your back pay and ongoing monthly benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also needs to see an extreme limitation of one or a significant limitation of two of these areas of mental functioning:
- Understanding, remembering or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, staying focused on tasks, and completing tasks on time
- Regulating emotions and controlling behavior
The Barnes Disability Advocates Utah disability lawyers take on the tough cases that other lawyers won’t.
We take the time to meet with you and understand your claim because we know that each disability application is unique.
Our law firm treats you with dignity and respect. Talk to us if you or a family member needs financial relief because of the way autism undermines the ability to make a living.
Do You Want to Know More About Our Disability Lawyers in Utah?
Barnes Disability also helps with long-term disability claims when you have a private insurance policy to protect your finances if you lose the ability to work. Our disability attorneys have decades of experience and a mission to help everyday people find peace and dignity in difficult times.
