If you struggle with ADHD, you should know that you certainly aren’t alone. Millions of others also struggle with this challenging condition, and depending upon its severity, it can certainly interfere with your ability to engage in day-to-day tasks as you otherwise might. In fact, if the condition is especially severe, it may even prevent you from working and earning an income to provide for yourself and those you love. If this is the case, you may wonder whether or not you might qualify to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a developmental neurological disorder that is most commonly diagnosed in childhood or the early teen years, though it can also present later in life for some adults. While approximately 4% of the United States population has been diagnosed with ADHD, it is believed that there are many more who suffer from the condition but are undiagnosed.
Some Of The Symptoms And Challenges Presented By ADHD Include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Short attention span
- Sleeplessness
- Memory loss
- Impulsiveness
- Relationships difficulties
- Procrastination
- Low motivation
- Addiction issues
- And many other symptoms.
If you have severe ADHD, you may struggle with some or all of these symptoms. Depending upon how many symptoms you have and how significantly they affect your ability to function, you may be unable to work and earn income as you otherwise would. If this is the case, you may consider seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
What Types of Benefits Are Available?
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits, depending upon the applicant’s circumstances. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSDI benefits are intended for individuals who are “insured,” which means they have regularly paid taxes into the Social Security system through a job for a sufficient amount of time. SSI benefits, by contrast, are intended for individuals with income and resources below a certain annual limit established by the Social Security Administration.
Regardless of which type of benefit you pursue, you must be able to meet two criteria. First, you must have a qualifying medical condition. Secondly, the condition must have rendered you unable to work for a period of at least one continuous calendar year or more. While the second criterion is fairly self-explanatory, the first requires a bit more explanation. Let’s examine what the Social Security Administration considers a “qualifying medical condition” and whether ADHD qualifies.
What is a “Qualifying Medical Condition?”
To determine whether a particular claim is based on a qualifying medical condition, the Social Security Administration typically consults its listing of impairments, commonly known as the “Blue Book.” Essentially, the Blue Book is a comprehensive guide that categorizes a wide range of medical conditions, along with their associated symptoms.
Fortunately, for those who are diagnosed with ADHD, it is a condition recognized by and included in the Blue Book. Specifically, ADHD is listed in the section for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The Blue Book outlines two categories of criteria that a claimant must meet to be considered for benefits based on ADHD.
First, the applicant must be able to establish that they experience one of the following:
- Frequent distractibility
- Frequent and recurring motor movement vocalization
- Impulsive and hyperactive behavior
- Significant difficulties with learning
In addition to being able to establish one of the foregoing symptoms through sufficient medical proof, a claimant must also be able to prove that they:
- Have difficulty controlling behavior
- Have difficulty concentrating on tasks
- Have difficulty learning, understanding, and remembering information
- Have difficulty interacting with others.
If you can establish that you meet these criteria by presenting sufficient medical proof, and you can establish that your condition has rendered you unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more, you should consider applying for disability benefits.
Understandably, this might seem like an intimidating and confusing process – and it can be. It can be challenging to determine which records to gather and how to present your case effectively. That’s why you need a knowledgeable and experienced legal team on your side. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.
Muse Disability – Here For You
If you struggle with ADHD or any other difficult and disabling condition, the last thing you need is to worry and stress about how you’ll pursue the disability benefits you need and deserve. The good news is, you don’t have to. At Muse Disability, we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced team of attorneys knows and understands every aspect of the law concerning disability benefits, and we’re ready and waiting to get started on your claim today. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.