How Adults with Autism Can Qualify for SSDI: Eligibility Requirements Explained

Autism SSDI: Adults with autism may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if they meet the SSA’s requirements for medical and work criteria. To be eligible, individuals must have a disability that limits their capacity to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to autism. The SSA assesses autism-related impairments under “neurodevelopmental disorders,” focusing on difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior.

The SSA requires that autism substantially affects daily functioning, such as the ability to adapt to changes, manage oneself, and understand or respond to social cues. To meet the work requirement, applicants also need a certain number of work credits, typically accumulated through prior employment, though young adults may have more flexible requirements depending on age and work history.

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This could involve significant difficulties establishing and sustaining relationships, identifying social cues, and effectively communicating both orally and nonverbally. Many people on the autism spectrum find it difficult to express their needs or read the emotions of others, which hinders their ability to function in normal social or professional settings.

Adults also need to exhibit limited and recurring behavioral patterns. Daily adaptability may be hampered by these behaviors, which could include repetitive motions, rigid routines, or intensely focused interests.

These difficulties must lead to either “marked” limitations in several areas or “extreme” limitations in one particular area, like focusing or interacting with others.

Limitations in areas such as social interactions, understanding and remembering information, focusing, and managing personal care needs will be assessed by the SSA.

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An adult with autism may still be eligible for a medical-vocational allowance even if they don’t meet all the requirements.

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This approach takes into account the person’s age, education, prior work experience, and remaining functional abilities when determining their ability to perform any type of work. This strategy gives people with notable but less severe limitations the chance to gain advantages.

Applicants typically need a work history in which they have made contributions to Social Security in order to fulfill the work requirement.

This usually calls for 40 work credits, at least 20 of which must have been obtained in the previous ten years. However, if a parent receives Social Security benefits, the adult who was diagnosed with autism before the age of 22 may be eligible based on the parent’s employment history.