A person with autism experiences the world differently from other people. It’s hard to understand for anyone not on the autism spectrum or close to someone who is.
Some, but certainly not all, people with autism are unable to work. This is when Social Security Disability benefits can help, providing monthly income and an important sense of stability.
But applying for disability benefits with autism is challenging.
That’s because it is a spectrum. While some with autism succeed and thrive in their careers, others cannot function in a work setting.
To qualify for Social Security Disability, you must be almost completely unable to work. Most people get denied.
So a disability claim for autism has to show the details of why you or your loved one’s form of autism rules out working.
It can be done, and an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can show you how.
A disability attorney knows what evidence and information to submit and how to present your case to Social Security to avoid mistakes and increase your chances of winning benefits.
Lachman & Gorton Law Office does this for people in Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester and across upstate New York. We’ve helped thousands of people for over 40 years.
If you’re looking at filing for disability benefits for autism, talk to us.
Social Security runs two disability benefits programs which help people in different situations:
Because autism is a condition starting from childhood that continues throughout adulthood, if a person with autism qualifies for disability benefits because their condition is severe enough, it’s likely that they’ve never been able to work much.
That means SSI—for people with little work background and limited financial means—may be the disability benefits program for them.
If a person with autism qualifies for SSDI, it could be because they were able to work for a while but had other health problems disrupt their work.
Disability benefit claims don’t have to be for just one condition. In fact, showing a combination of impairments can make a strong claim. So someone with autism who developed physical medical conditions should explain all of their health problems when they file for benefits.
Don’t go into this process cold. You can start with a consultation from Lachman & Gorton, FOR FREE.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes autism spectrum disorder as a condition that can make it impossible to work and therefore qualify for disability benefits.
That’s good news, because it means Social Security provides specific standards you can meet to be awarded benefits.
Using documents, evidence and reports from doctors, therapists and other health care providers, Social Security says you could win disability benefits for autism if you demonstrate all of these conditions:
And on top of those impairments, you must document and confirm an extreme limitation in one of the following areas, or a significant limitation in two of them:
Because you can’t just tell Social Security you experience these limitations, you have to prove it, working with a disability lawyer can help.
Your lawyer can take your description of how autism impacts your life, or the life of a family member, and turn it into a legal case for benefits.
You pay no attorney fee until you win benefits.
To pursue your disability benefits for autism—and the financial relief, dignity and independence that come with them—contact Lachman & Gorton.