Autism Disability Allowance, Social Security considers autism and autism spectrum disorders as potentially disabling conditions. Autism can cause problems with social functioning and affect your ability to communicate with others. You or your child may qualify for Social Security disability benefits for autism.
Autism Disability Allowance for Adults and Children
Adults may apply for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSD). They may also apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Unlike adults, children can only apply for SSI benefits. You must have earned enough Social Security work credits to apply for SSD benefits. Unlike SSDI, you do not need to have worked to file for SSI. However, you must meet certain financial requirements. Social Security looks at parents’ income for children’s SSI benefits. Unfortunately, a disabled child can’t apply for SSI if their parents have too much income.
Autism Disability Allowance for Disabled Adult Children
Adult children could qualify for SSD benefits based on their parent’s earnings record. Social Security considers someone a disabled adult child if:
You are over the age of 18
Not married
Disability that began before you were 22 and one of your parents receives Social Security benefits or is deceased
Social Security Disability: Autism Spectrum
Social Security evaluates claims using the “Blue Book”. The Blue Book includes a listing of impairments. Generally, to qualify under the Blue Book, you must meet certain conditions. Social Security considers autism under listing 12.10 for adults and 112.10 for children.
Social Security’s Listing 12.10 and 112.10 “Autism spectrum disorder”
First, the listing requires that you have all of the following documented in your records:
Problems in verbal and nonverbal communication
Problems in social interaction
Significantly restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
Second, you must show one extreme limitation or two marked limitations in the following areas:
Understanding, remembering or applying information
Interacting with others
Concentrating, persisting or maintaining pace
Adapting or managing oneself
“Marked” means having a serious limitation in that area of functioning. “Extreme” means not being able to function in that area at all.
What if my child’s autism doesn’t meet the listing?
Your child’s autism may not meet the disability listing. Fortunately, Social Security can still approve them for benefits another way. Social Security will consider all of your child’s limitations. Specifically, they look at six areas of functioning or domains. Your child still must have at least one extreme limitation. Alternatively, they can have two marked limitations. These areas of functioning include:
Acquiring and Using Information – how your child understands and remembers information, learning new information and recalling and applying previously learned information
Attending and Completing Tasks – how your child pays attention, follows instructions, taking turns, finishing class work or homework, working at a reasonable pace
Interacting and Relating with Others – how your child plays with other children, expresses anger, takes turns, understands body language and social cues
Moving About and Manipulating Objects – how your child manages physical activities such as standing, balancing, running, jumping, using their hands and hand-eye coordination
Caring for Himself or Herself – how your child handles frustration, takes care of personal hygiene, avoiding dangerous circumstances, and responding to changes in their mood
Health and Physical Well-being – specific medical conditions like asthma or depression, side effects from medications or other symptoms or anything else that would cause problems functioning
What you need for an autism disability allowance
Social Security needs evidence to evaluate your child’s functioning. Evidence includes records from pediatricians, therapists and other medical professionals. Often, Social Security asks your child’s teachers to complete a questionnaire. Social Security can also consider other evidence. For example, attendance reports, report cards and other school documents might be helpful. This may include Individual Education Plans or IEPs. Your disability advocate will tell you what evidence would be helpful.
Autistic Disability Allowance for Adults
If you don’t meet the listing, Social Security considers your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC is what you can do despite your symptoms. Particularly, Social Security looks at how your autism affects your ability to work. Therefore, you have to show how your conditions keep you from working.
Autism and your RFC
Proving disability in autistic adults can be challenging. This can be especially true if you have worked in the past. However, the right documentation can support your case. Your doctor should complete an RFC form. Your doctor can help explain how severe your symptoms are. There are also agencies that help disabled adults. For example, evaluation from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can explain the problems you are facing in the work place. DVR helps place disabled adults in jobs. Therefore, they can provide specific limitations you would have at work.
Disability Help Group: Winning Autism Disability Allowance Case Study
For example, John is 23 years old, diagnosed with autism. He was in special education classes in school. He has not been able to work. John tried filing for SSI benefits due to his autism. Unfortunately, he was denied. He then turned to Disability Help Group for help. On his advocate’s advice, he talked to his doctor. His doctor provided an RFC form explaining John’s problems interacting with others and his problems concentrating. His advocate was also able to get John’s school records, including his IEPs. John had some testing with his local DVR. The testing showed that John could not perform any job duties without close and frequent supervision. Social Security determined that John could not work in full time competitive jobs. As a result, he was approved for Social Security disability.
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If you can’t work due to any disability call Disability Help Group now to start your claim or appeal your denial. Call now or fill out the contact form to Contact us for a free consultation.
Related Articles to Can’t Work Due to Anxiety and Depression
How Do I Check My Social Security Disability Work Credits? The Social Security Administration keeps track of your earnings and work credits. They do this by using your Social Security number. Social Security provides this information on your Social Security Earnings Statement. It is available to everyone age 25 and over. Social Security mails out your statement periodically. You can also look at your statement online. You would need to create an online account with Social Security. Occasionally checking your estimated Social Security benefits lets you to check for any mistakes on your record.
What are Social Security Disability Work Credits?
Work credits are credits that you earned during your work history. You receive work credits each year that you work and pay taxes. Unfortunately, Social Security can’t pay you benefits if you don’t have enough work credits. These credits are required to receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI), retirement benefits and Medicare. However, you do not need work credits to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To file for SSI, you need to meet certain income requirements.
How do I earn Social Security disability work credits?
Work credits are based on your total wages and self-employment income for the year. At most, you can earn four work credits per year. The amount of earnings it takes to earn a credit can change from year to year. In 2020, you must earn $5,640 to get four credits for the year. How Can I Check My Social Security Disability Credits?
How many work credits do I need for Social Security Disability benefits?
Generally, you need to earn a total of 20 work credits to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Typically, Social Security will look back ten years from the date you filed your disability application. You must have worked at least five of those years to qualify. However, there are some age exceptions. If you are younger, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits with fewer credits. For example:
Before age 24 – you need to earn 6 credits or have worked 1.5 years
Ages 24-30 – you need to earn 8-18 credits or have worked 2-4.5 years
Ages 31 or older – you need at least 20 credits in the 10 year period before you became disabled
Do my Social Security disability work credits expire?
Additionally, in order to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, you must meet a recent work test. After you stop working, you do not have an indefinite time to file for disability benefits. Like other insurance program, your coverage ends after a certain amount of time from when you stop working. How Can I Check My Social Security Disability Credits?
How Does My Date Last Insured Impact My Disability Work Credits
Your date last insured (DLI) is the last date you can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Your DLI depends on when you last worked. Usually, your DLI lasts five years after you stop working. However, if your earnings were low or your work was inconsistent, your DLI may be less than five years.
Example 1: Date last insured
Bob stopped working in December 2014. He had worked for seven years as an auto mechanic. While he was out of work, Bob fell and injured his neck and shoulder in February 2019. He no longer could work. Bob’s date last insured expires in December 2019. Since Bob’s DLI expires after he became unable to work, he can still qualify for Social Security disability benefits. How Can I Check My Social Security Disability Credits?
Example 2: Date last insured
Gina stopped working in June 2018 after she needed knee surgery. She had worked for over 10 years as a home health aide. She was unable to return to work after her surgery. Gina’s date last insured would not expire until around June 2023. Therefore, she is currently eligible to file for Social Security disability benefits.
What if my DLI has expired?
You can still file for Social Security disability benefits if you stopped working more than five years ago. However, you would need to show that you became disabled before your DLI expired. You must have medical evidence that shows you couldn’t work before your DLI. Sometimes, this can be very difficult. Older medical records might not be available. You may not remember all of the doctors that treated you. How Can I Check My Social Security Disability Credits?
Work with an experienced disability advocate to make sure your Social Security disability work credits are correct
An experienced disability advocate can really help in these situations. Your disability advocate can help you understand these complicated issues. They can help you gather the medical evidence you need to win your case. Frequently, if your DLI has expired, you may need to go to a Social Security disability hearing to decide your case. Your disability advocate gets your ready for your hearing. They also make sure the judge has everything they need to decide your case. How Do I Check My Social Security Disability Work Credits?
Disability Help Group: Winning Case Study
George stopped working in 2013 because he had a car accident. Unfortunately, he was unable to go back to work. He suffered from chronic back pain. George didn’t know he could file for Social Security disability benefits when he stopped working. He contacted Disability Help Group for assistance in 2019. At that time, his date last insured had expired in December 2018. George had to go to a disability hearing. We were able to help George provide all of his medical records to the judge since his accident. Therefore, George was able to show that his medical conditions kept him from working before his DLI. He was approved for benefits.
Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
You can check the status of your Social Security disability claim online.
What your application status shows when you check your status online, you can find:
Your re-entry number for your online application or appeal that hasn’t been submitted
The date Social Security received your application or appeal
Your scheduled hearing date and time
The location of your application or appeal including the address of the office processing your application
If a decision has been made
How to check your disability application status online
You must sign into your “my Social Security” account. You can’t check the status of your claim online if you don’t have a “my Social Security” account. First, scroll down to the “Your Benefit Application” section. Next, select “View Details” to check your application status.
How to create a “my Social Security” account
Social Security asks you for specific information to create an online account. However, you can only create an account for yourself. You can’t create an account for another person. You will need the following in order to view your Social Security disability online status:
Firstly, A valid email address
Secondly, Your social security number
Thirdly, A U.S. mailing address
You must be at least 18 years old
Other ways to check your application status
If you can’t get online to check the status of your application, you can also:
Call your local Social Security office or Social Security’s national telephone number or disability lawyer
Call the claims adjudicator assigned to your case
Why should I check my disability status online?
You should check the status so you can:
Make sure Social Security has all of the paperwork to process your application or receives your medical records.
Avoid missing any deadlines to appeal your claim if you are denied
Filing for Social Security Disability Online Status
There are many steps Social Security takes before making a decision on your claim. Generally, it takes Social Security time to process your disability application. There are also different departments that handle your claim. Additionally, the application process requires a lot of paperwork. Overall, the disability process can be overwhelming and frustrating when you don’t know how it works.
You send your disability application to your local Social Security office.
The local office processes your application.
Social Security sends your claim to Disability Determination Services or DDS. Shortly after you have been assigned a claim adjudicator, he or she will contact you and provide paperwork regarding your claim.
Disability Status Online: Reconsideration
If Social Security denies your initial application, you file an appeal for reconsideration.
Disability Status Online: Requesting a Hearing
If Social Security denies your reconsideration appeal, you then request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Social Security sends your case to the hearing office, called the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). OHO assigns an administrative law judge (ALJ) to your case. You will receive a letter telling you of the date, time and location of your hearing. It may take several months for OHO to schedule your hearing.
Benefits of Working with a Disability Advocate
Most importantly, an experienced disability advocate knows the process. They will guide and appeals process and explain the disability rules. They can help you get the right evidence to support your claim. Additionally, your disability advocate checks the status of your case regularly. They will make sure that there isn’t any missing information.
Example 1: help with Social Security’s forms
As an example, Social Security sends you several forms to complete. Specifically, they will send you forms about your daily activities. They also need more information about the type of work you’ve done in the past. Unfortunately, Social Security can deny your claim if they don’t get these forms from you. These forms can seem overwhelming. However, your disability advocate can help you complete these forms. They will also make sure that Social Security receives your completed forms.
Example 2: following up with Social Security
Many times, Social Security sends you letters that tell you what information is missing from your claim. These letters will tell you that some of your doctors haven’t sent in records. Your disability advocate can check on the status of your claim with Social Security. Often, they will get more accurate information than the letters or an online status check will provide. Then, your disability advocate works with you to make sure Social Security gets all of your medical records.
Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Social Security over 55 Grid rules are special disability rules that can help you win your case.
Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules
It is much easier for Social Security to approve your application for disability benefits if you are over age 55. Typically, for disability benefits, you have to show that you can’t work. If you under age 50, you have to show that you can’t do any kind of work at all. As you get older, there are more favorable rules Social Security can use to approve your case. That’s because Social Security understands that it may be harder for older people to do new types of work. These rules are the “grid rules.”
The grid rules consider different factors. These factors include:
Age
How far you went in school
Work background
Residual functional capacity (RFC) – what you can do despite your medical conditions
The Grid Rules and Your Past Work
Social Security will look to the grid rules once they have figured out your residual functional capacity (RFC). In order to apply the grid rules, Social Security must categorize your past work. The grid rules will only apply if Social Security finds that you can’t return to your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. Past relevant work is work done in the past 15 years. It should also have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work.
Social Security has different physical categories of work. These include:
Sedentary – mostly sitting jobs that don’t require lifting more than 10 pounds
Light – usually require more standing and don’t require lifting more than 20 pounds
Social Security will also look at the type of skills required to do your past work. Sometimes, there are skills from your past work that can be used to do different types of jobs. Social Security calls them transferable skills. It is harder to apply a favorable grid rule when there are transferable skills. However, transferable skills won’t apply if you can only do simple, routine tasks. Generally, Social Security makes this finding when there is treatment for mental health problem.
Applying Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules
Case study 1: Over 55 Grid Rules
For example, a 58 year old man applied for disability because he had coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes and COPD. He previously worked as a warehouse worker and line technician for the local cable company. Social Security categorized his past work as medium and heavy. They found that he could only do light work. Additionally, Social Security found that here were no transferable skills. Therefore, the Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules directed a finding that he was disabled.
Case study 2: Over 55 Grid Rules
In another example, a 57 year old woman applied for disability benefits due to degenerative joint disease in her right shoulder and right knee. She also suffered from vertigo and major depressive disorder. She previously worked as an accounts receivable clerk. Social Security found that she could do simple, routine and light jobs. Her past work is a sedentary job. However, it requires more complex tasks. Therefore, Social Security found that she could not return to her past job. As a result, her case was approved under the Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules.
Case study 3: Over 55 Grid rules
Lastly, a 59 year old man filed for disability benefits because he had degenerative disc disease in his back, osteoarthritis in his hips and depression. He needed a cane to stand and walk. He previously worked as a truck driver and a waiter. Social Security found that he could do simple, routine sedentary jobs. Since his past work was categorized as light and medium, the Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules applied. Social Security was able to approve his claim.
Working with a SSDI Disability Lawyer
An experienced SSDI disability lawyer will tell if you these grid rules apply in your case. More importantly, a disability lawyer can help you get the evidence you need to apply the Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules and win your case.
Disability Help Group: Winning Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules
For instance, Michael applied for benefits because he had back pain. He was 59 years old and had worked in as a janitor for many years. Unfortunately, Michael was denied for benefits. He had not seen his doctors in a while. However, his doctors had told him that he could not work as a janitor any more. Michael then turned to Disability Help Group. We helped him file an appeal. Our advocate suggested that he see a specialist for his back. Michael started seeing an orthopedist and pain management doctor. We also advised him to have an MRI of his back. At his hearing, the judge found that he could not do his past job as a janitor. The judge found that Michael could not lift or carry 50 pounds. As a result, Michael was limited to light work. The judge approved his case based on the Social Security Over 55 Grid Rules.
Disability Help Group, Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Social Security over 50 Grid rules can help you win your disability case.
Social Security Disability Over 50 Grid Rules
Generally, Social Security defines disability as having the inability to work. They look at your ability to go back to your past work. They also look at your ability to do other types of work. However, Social Security recognizes that it may be harder for older individuals to do new work. Therefore, there are more favorable rules for older people. These rules are the “grid rules.”
The grid rules consider different factors. These factors include:
Your age
Education
Work background
Residual functional capacity (RFC) – what you can do despite your medical conditions
The Grid Rules and Your Past Work
Social Security will look at the grid rules once they have figured out your RFC. In order to apply the grid rules, Social Security must categorize your past work. The grid rules will only apply if Social Security finds that you can’t return to your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. Past relevant work is work done in the past 15 years. It should also have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work.
Social Security has different physical categories of work. These include:
Sedentary – mostly sitting jobs that don’t require lifting more than 10 pounds
Light – usually require more standing and don’t require lifting more than 20 pounds
Medium – requires lifting between 25-50 pounds
Heavy – requires lifting more than 50 pounds
The Grid Rules Past Skilled Work
Social Security will also look at the type of skills required to do your past work. Sometimes, there are skills from your past work that can be used to do different types of jobs. These are transferable skills. It is harder to apply a favorable grid rule when there are transferable skills. However, transferable skills won’t apply if you can only do simple, routine tasks. Generally, Social Security makes this finding when there is evidence of mental health impairment.
Applying the Over 50 Grid Rules
Case study 1: Social Security over 50 Grid rules
In one case, a 54 year old man applied for disability benefits after he had his knee replaced. Unfortunately, he continued to have pain and swelling in his knee. This made it impossible for him to go back to work. He previously worked as a security guard. Social Security determined that he had the ability to perform sedentary work. Social Security found that there were no transferable skills. Therefore, the grid rules directed a finding of disabled.
Case study 2: Social Security over 50 Grid rules
In another case, a 51 year old woman applied for disability based on coronary artery disease, depression and anxiety. She previously worked as an office manager and cashier. She suffered from frequent chest pain and leg swelling, also had trouble concentrating. Social Security determined that she could perform sedentary work. Her job as an office manager was categorized as sedentary. Yet, Social Security also found she could only do simple and routine tasks. Since her job required more complex tasks, she was not able to return to her past work. Therefore, the grid rules allowed Social Security to approve her case.
Hire a disability expert who knows the Social Security over 50 Grid Rules
Unfortunately, the grid rules don’t always work out in your favor. This is especially true if you are applying for disability benefits for non-physical conditions. Most commonly, these conditions include problems such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder alone.
For example, a 53 year old man applied for disability benefits when he could no longer work due to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He previously worked in a poultry factory. Social Security found that he could only perform simple and routine tasks. Without any physical restrictions, the Social Security over 50 Grid rules directed a finding of not disabled. Consequently, he was denied benefits.
Working with a SSDI Disability Lawyer
Even if the Social Security over 50 Grid rules don’t work in your favor, you can still win your case. In the above example, this gentleman can still win if he proves his conditions meet the medical listing requirements. He can also be approved if he shows he would miss work a lot.
Hire a Disability Expert
An experienced SSDI disability lawyer will help explain the Social Security over 50 Grid rules. They can tell if you these grid rules apply in your case. More importantly, disability lawyer can help you get the evidence you need to apply the grid rules and win your case.
Disability Help Group: Winning Grid Case Study
For instance, Jerry applied for benefits because he had knee pain and swelling. He also had diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. He was 52 years old and had worked in a warehouse for many years.
Unfortunately, Social Security denied Jerry’s claim. He couldn’t understand why. His doctors told him to apply. Finally, Mr. Doyle turned to Disability Help Group. Our advocate suggested that he get a prescription for the cane he had been using. She also noticed that his doctor didn’t write down that he needed to elevate his legs, even though the doctor told Jerry this several times. On our advocate’s advice, he spoke with his doctor. Then, the recommendation was included in his medical records. At hearing, the judge found that Jerry couldn’t do his warehouse job. The judge also found that he couldn’t stand or walk for more than two hours a day. Therefore, Jerry was limited to sedentary work. The Social Security over 50 Grid rules were applied and the judge approved his claim.
Disability Help Group, Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
