Disability for Autism: Filing and Benefits

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder for which symptoms appear in the first three years of life. It causes the brain to function abnormally in a way that affects communication and social skills. Because thought processes are affected, social skills are affected as well. Benefits for disability for autism may be available for those who are considered severely impacted or disabled by their condition.

Causes and Symptoms 

The causes of autism are unknown, but some suspected causes include:

• Mercury poisoning 
• Heredity
• Diet
• Sensitivities to some chemicals that may include vitamins and minerals 

Approximately 1 in 110 children have autism, and the condition is present three or four times more often in boys than girls. A child with autism will have great difficulty interacting with people and his/her environment. He/she may form strong attachments to things and have trouble when his/her routine is interrupted. He/she will also have a hard time in pretend play and in playing with others and may be very sensitive to external influences that affect his/her five senses. 

Filing for SSI  

Those who have autism or who have a child with autism should be aware that there is a government program called Supplemental Security Income, or SSI which is designed to offer financial assistance to citizens who are elderly, blind, or disabled. SSI is available for people with little or no income and is meant to help out with basic needs. However, to qualify for SSI, the child’s autism has to be at a certain level of severity, and the combined incomes and resources of the child and family must be under a certain limit. 

The Social Security Administration manages SSI benefits and has a Blue Book that lists many disorders along with a description of how to determine their severity. Autism is one of the listed conditions, so those that have it may be able to prove they are eligible for benefits more easily than other disabled individuals who do not have a listed condition. 

The developmental deficits associated with autism that the SSA requires in order to claim benefits are listed in two sections, and the criteria in both have to be satisfied to be considered disabled. The first section has a list of qualitative deficits that must be present in the child’s normal development.  These cover the areas of verbal and non-verbal communication, pretend play, social interaction, and “restricted repertoire of activities and interests”. The other section has criteria for two age groups. For a child between 1 and 3 years of age, he/she must have skills equal to the level of children half his/her age or younger in one of the areas of fine and gross motor development, cognitive and communicative function, or social function. For the child between the ages of 3 and 18, two deficits have to be apparent. Possible deficits include marked difficulty in cognitive and communicative function, personal functioning, social functioning, or maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. 

When filing for disability benefits, parents need to explain in great detail how the child’s autism has affected his/her life. They need to bring all medical records, school records, and test results that are related to the child’s autism. The severity of the condition needs to have caused “marked and severe functional limitations”. If the autistic child is working, there is a limit of $1000 a month on his/her income. This figure is as of 2011 and may change. Some parental income is also deemed to belong to the child and is used in a family income and resource calculation. 

When you file your application, it will be sent to the Disability Determination Services in your state. They will make the decision on whether your child is disabled. If your application is approved, then your child will receive benefits until the age of 18. When a disabled child turns 18, he/she will need to be evaluated as an adult. 

Getting Help

If you believe you or your child can qualify for disability benefits on the basis of autism, you may wish to consider enlisting the help of a lawyer. Many claims for benefits to the SSA are initially denied, and getting proper legal help can give you a better chance of getting your claim approved without delay.