Whether you can get disability for ADHD depends on a few factors, including your age, the age when you started having problems related to ADHD, and how the ADHD impacts your ability to function.
Can I Get Disability for ADHD?
It is possible to get disability benefits – Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – if you have been diagnosed with ADHD and it significantly impacts your functioning.
Disability for Minors with ADHD
If your child has ADHD that impacts his or her ability to function as his or her peers do, they may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes ADHD as a “listing” when reviewing children’s claims. The listing requires medical documentation of one of the following:
- One or both of the following: frequent distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention, and difficulty organizing tasks OR hyperactive and impulsive behavior;
- Significant difficulties learning and using academic skills; or
- Recurrent motor movement or vocalization.
The listing also requires an extreme limitation of one – or marked limitation of two – of the following areas of mental functioning:
- Understand, remember, or apply information.
- Interact with others.
- Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace.
- Adapt or manage oneself.
Disability for Adults with ADHD
Adult claims based on ADHD can be a bit harder to win. If you can prove that you have had ADHD since you were a child and prove that your condition makes it difficult for you to be employed, you may be approved for benefits based on ADHD.
This is often hard to do, however, because it requires pulling records from your childhood, including medical and educational records.
The listing for adult claims with ADHD is very similar to the listing for minor claims and can be found here.
Need Help with Your Disability Claim?
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD and you have functional impairments that prevent you from performing in school (if you’re a child) or keep you from working (if you’re an adult), you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have questions, contact a local attorney today.