Can Dyslexia Meet the Social Security List of Impairments?

Dyslexia is a serious learning disability that has a range of different symptoms.  In its mildest form, dyslexia causes individuals to have trouble reading or writing because they may transpose letters and so a printed page will look like gibberish to them at first glance.  In its most severe forms, dyslexia may make it impossible for an individual to understand printed or written instructions or other information which is presented visually, such as on billboards or safety warnings.  Is dyslexia considered a disability which you can receive social security disability benefits for?  How is dyslexia perceived by the social security administration in terms of disability eligibility?

Dyslexia and Social Security Disability

The short answer is no – dyslexia and other learning disabilities are, for the most part, not eligible for social security disability benefits in all but the most severe cases.  There is a specific list of social security disability injuries which you may be able to claim disability for:

• Most of these disabilities are purely physical disabilities, such as the loss of a limb, paralysis, or other injuries or illnesses that hamper your ability to use your arms or legs. 
• Other types of disabilities that give rise to social security benefits are certain end-stage terminal disabilities including cancer, multiple sclerosis, or cystic fibrosis, which cause you to be unable to function in any normal way and which cause chronic pain or other symptoms.

However, there is always a chance that if you or a member of your family are suffering from one of the most severe forms of dyslexia. In such cases, you may be able to claim it as a disability and receive social security benefits.  Be prepared to present information to your disability lawyer, who can go over the options with you. 

Proving Your Disability

The type of information that the social security disability case examiner will want to see is concrete proof that dyslexia has in fact affected your ability to find and keep meaningful work, as well as any medical documents or examinations you may have had where the diagnosis of dyslexia was made.  Copies of any psychological or other therapy you may have attempted in order to mitigate the dyslexia would also be useful in proving your case and receiving social security disability benefits for dyslexia. 

Getting Help

If you are trying to get disability benefits for dyslexia, hiring a good lawyer is crucial. A disability lawyer will be able to help you through the process and assist you in proving to the social security administration that your dyslexia has made it difficult or impossible for you to find work in any field.