If you have been diagnosed with an intellectual disorder prior to turning 22, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Social Security Listing 12.05
Social Security Administration considers claimants who are diagnosed with an intellectual disorder under Listing 12.05.
Under listing 12.05, there are two different avenues to be found disabled by the Social Security Administration.
Under the first prong, you will need to show evidence of significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning and significant deficits in your adaptive functioning (as evidenced by your dependence on others for personal needs). As noted above, you must also show that your current intellectual and adaptive functioning began prior to turning 22 years old.
The second way to be found disabled under listing 12.05 is by providing evidence of your significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning (either with a full-scale IQ score of 70 or below or with a full-scale IQ between 71 and 75 with a verbal or performance IQ score of 70 or below). You will also need to show significant deficits in your adaptive functioning, through either an extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two of the following areas of mental functioning: your ability to understand, remember, or apply information; your ability to interact with others; your ability to concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; or your ability to adapt or manage yourself. Similar to the first prong, you must show evidence that your disability began prior to age 22.
I Don’t Meet the Listing!
If you do not meet the listing, you may still qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. To prove that you are disabled and unable to work, you will need medical evidence that shows the severity of your impairment. Social Security Disability will need reliable medical evidence from your doctors to show them that your condition limits you and prevents you from working.
It is important that you keep a log of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have seen for your condition, including any inpatient stays or hospitalizations. It is also important that your doctors are supportive of your claim for benefits and properly document your condition in your medical records. One of the most common reasons for an SSDI or SSI denial (especially when it comes to mental health conditions) is a lack of supportive medical evidence.
If you do not meet the above listing (or any other listing), Social Security will consider your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC outlines your job restrictions and will be used to determine if you can go back to your past work. Your RFC is also used to determine whether there is other work available for you, based on your mental and physical limitations.
Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with an intellectual disorder and are unable to sustain competitive employment, contact a local attorney today. A Social Security Disability Lawyer can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.