Mental Retardation/intellectual Disability & Social Security Disability

The severity of the intellectual disability will depend on whether the affected individual

is prevented from working, according to the Social Security Administrations standards. Some individuals with more severe mental retardation may require around-the-clock care while others with more mild mental retardation are able to live relatively normal lives either on their own or in an assisted living or group home setting. Doctors may often be unable to pinpoint the cause of an individuals particular intellectual disability, but instead diagnose the severity of mental retardation through a variety of means. Some of the symptoms common to mental retardation include acting childlike or in a childish manner, displayed difficulty while learning or attempting to acquire additional knowledge or skills, having difficulty meeting academic or other standards while in an educational setting, and failing to display an active interest in their surroundings.

Aside from these symptoms, the Social Security Administration uses a variety of standards for determining whether a person has an intellectual disability that rises to the level of qualifying the individual for Social Security Disability benefits. If your loved one has been diagnosed with moderate or severe mental retardation, they may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Social Security Administration looks to the following criteria to determine whether the person has significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning and that the condition occurred prior to the age of twenty-two. Significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning is described as meeting one of the following four tests:

The mental disability is evidenced by an inability to follow directions and a dependence upon others for day-to-day personal needs such as eating, dressing, or bathing.

The person has a valid verbal, performance or IQ of 59 or less.

The person has a valid verbal, performance or IQ between 60-70 and a physical or mental condition significantly limits their ability to perform job functions OR

The person has a valid verbal, performance or IQ between 60-70 and two of the following:

oHas restricted daily activities

oHas trouble functioning socially

oHas difficulty maintaining concentration

oHas trouble dealing with stressful situations

Mental disabilities can have devastating consequences and subject sufferers, and their family members, to situations that are difficult to handle. The inability to maintain regular employment can be helped by applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Most first-time applications for Social Security are denied, but the chance of success increases dramatically when working with an experienced attorney to help you prepare your application and gather medical records that may be scattered and, especially in the case of mental retardation and intellectual disabilities, be over the course of a prolonged period of time.

Have You or a Loved One Been Denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

by: Elijah

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