Can You Receive Disability Benefits For ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition characterized by impulsive behavior, difficulty paying attention, and restlessness. Sometimes, symptoms of ADHD can be so severe that they impair someone’s ability to keep a job. If your ADHD symptoms affect your daily life, you may qualify for disability benefits.
What does it mean to have ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way the brain works—particularly in relation to executive functioning. Executive functions allow you to do things like make decisions, manage time, and control your impulses. With ADHD, these functions are disrupted, which can lead to the manifestation of various symptoms.
There are three main presentations of ADHD. The one with which you may be diagnosed depends on which kind of symptoms you mainly experience: inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination of both.
Those with the primarily inattentive presentation of ADHD may experience symptoms such as:
- Trouble focusing for long periods
- Forgetfulness
- Distractibility
- Procrastination
- Trouble making decisions
Those with the primarily hyperactive/impulsive presentation may experience symptoms such as:
- Risk-taking
- Interrupting others
- Restlessness and trouble sitting still
- Speaking or acting without thinking
- Struggling to manage emotions
According to the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person’s symptoms must interfere with their daily life in order for them to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Understanding disability benefits
In the United States, one of the most well-known disability benefits is Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. Managed by the Social Security Administration, SSDI takes the form of monthly payments you can receive if you have a disability that severely impacts your ability to work. The amount you receive may depend on your work history and earnings prior to becoming disabled. SSDI may also qualify you for government health benefits like Medicare.
Criteria must be met to qualify for disability benefits
However, you have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for disability benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, individuals must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for disability benefits:
- Having a disability that affects your ability to work for a year or longer
- Having worked for five years or more out of the last ten
- If you’re able to work, being unable to earn more than a certain amount each month
While receiving disability benefits, you may be required to report any changes to your work or health situation. You might be able to keep receiving benefits if you start working again, but this can depend on things like your monthly earnings and work-related expenses.
Is it possible to receive ADHD disability benefits?
ADHD is considered to be a disability. However, an ADHD diagnosis alone may not be enough to qualify for disability benefits. To qualify for SSDI, a person must prove that their ADHD symptoms are severe enough to prevent them from working.
Things to be submitted
- Detailed medical records
- Proof of past and current treatments
- Information on any co-occurring mental illnesses
- Detailed explanations of how ADHD prevents gainful employment
- Detailed information on work history
Disability benefits for ADHD require proper diagnosis from mental health professionals
Can children receive disability benefits for ADHD?
In some cases, children up to 18 years old with ADHD from low-income families can receive ADHD disability benefits from SSI, provided that they meet the disability requirements. However, the qualification for disability benefits for ADHD in children is not that easy.
How children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder qualify for SSI disability benefits
For your child to qualify for ADHD disability, the ADHD symptoms must be severe enough to meet the requirements outlined in the SSA’s listing for neurodevelopmental disorders. If the symptoms manifested do not meet the criteria, you must prove that the symptoms are functionally equal to the listed requirements.
Other accommodations for ADHD
If you don’t qualify for SSDI payments, you may be entitled to other accommodations for ADHD under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, if ADHD is affecting your ability to perform your job, your employer may be required to do things such as:
- Let you use headphones in the workplace to reduce noise and distractions
- Let you work in a quiet environment
- Let you take breaks to move around
- Provide coaching to help you stay organized and on-task
Factors that determine the qualification for workplace accommodations
Keep in mind that not everyone with ADHD may qualify for workplace accommodations. Whether or not you’re eligible may depend on:
- The intensity of your symptoms
- Your ability to perform the essential duties of your job
- The number of employees at the company
You can make a request for workplace accommodation at any time, even if you didn’t do so while you were applying for your job. However, the Job Accommodation Network recommends you make your request as soon as you realize that something is preventing you from doing your job rather than waiting until your performance suffers. If you feel you need guidance requesting workplace accommodations, consider consulting with a professional who can help you understand the process.
Getting help with ADHD-related work challenges
If you’re running into challenges at work due to ADHD, you may also benefit from getting support from a healthcare professional. ADHD symptoms can often be managed, and many people with this condition are able to do their jobs effectively with the right combination of treatments or coping strategies. If you haven’t explored treatment yet, talking to your primary care doctor can be a good place to start. They may be able to help you craft a treatment plan and find support that works for you.
Therapy to improve Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms
Seeking therapy is another method that could help you improve work performance and productivity. A licensed therapist may be able to suggest personalized strategies for managing deadlines, staying organized, completing tasks, and making decisions. They may also be able to help you adjust negative thought patterns and behaviors that might be contributing to your symptoms.
Benefits of online therapy
However, the same challenges that ADHD can cause in the workplace might also make it hard to attend in-person therapy appointments. If you have trouble keeping track of time or concentrating in a new environment, online therapy might be a better alternative for you. Platforms like BetterHelp allow you to attend therapy from your own home via voice call, video call, and/or in-app messaging. Studies indicate that online therapy may be effective for addressing a variety of conditions. In particular, consider research from 2022 that suggests that online interventions may help improve attention and social function in those with ADHD.
Takeaway
How hard is it to get disability for ADHD?
People with ADHD causing severe physical or mental impairment may qualify for supplemental security income from the federal government. However, individuals receiving disability for ADHD must:
- Get ADHD diagnosed: A documented diagnosis is required to receive Supplemental Security Income for children under 18. The child must experience serious limits to daily life resulting from the physical or mental condition, which lasts for at least a year.
- Display inability to work: To receive ADHD disability claims, one must not engage in substantial gainful activity.
People must meet strict disability and income requirements to qualify for benefits. For example, to receive Social Security disability insurance, one must have paid Social Security taxes for a certain amount of time while employed. The Social Security websites may have some resources available to help you navigate a disability application.
Does ADHD qualify for disability allowance?
Yes, ADHD may qualify for disability allowance if symptoms cause an extreme limitation on daily life and functioning.
What support is available for people with ADHD?
Here are some support options available for people with ADHD:
- Special education services: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law providing special education services for children with ADHD who experienced marked limitation to areas of functioning, such as difficulty sustaining attention, issues with organizational skills, or problems with self-management that impact school functioning.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): The Social Security Administration (SSA) classifies ADHD as a mental disorder. To qualify as a disability, the SSA evaluates the degree of physical and mental impairment. Getting SSDI involves several steps and requirements. For example, to receive these benefits, one must have paid social security taxes for at least 10 years. To apply for disability or receive monthly cash payments, it’s a good idea to visit your local social security office, bringing any documentation with you to your appointment.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): If someone qualifies for SSI, they may receive monthly cash payments based on family income, qualify the child for Medicaid health care services, and ensure referral of a child under State Title V programs.
Can ADHD get worse if untreated?
Yes, a child’s ADHD symptoms may worsen if they are left untreated. In general, research suggests that people with untreated ADHD typically experience worse long-term mental health and performance outcomes.
What do people with ADHD need most?
Some things that can be very beneficial for people with ADHD include:
- Organization strategies: This condition affects executive function skills, making it important for many adults and children with ADHD to use strategies that help them stay focused, manage time, and organize tasks. For example, making to-do lists, keeping a tidy workspace, chunking tasks, scheduling frequent breaks, prioritizing important work, exercising, and practicing self-compassion can be beneficial.
- Special health care: Medications, psychoeducation, talk therapy, and behavioral therapy may help people manage ADHD symptoms.
- School/work accommodations: Under the Rehabilitation Act, places receiving federal funding must make reasonable accommodations, like extra time for tests, breaks, or modifications to assigned for people with ADHD.
- Make a disability claim: For some people, ADHD symptoms can severely impact the ability to work or carry out major life activities. Supplemental security income for people who meet family income requirements can be lifechanging for people whose child's condition requires special health care needs. Rather than relying on specific medical criteria, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers many things, including medical evidence of developmental disability, school documentation, and ability to work or function in determining disability eligibility.
What age is hardest for kids with ADHD?
Many caregivers and educators of ADHD children report that middle school through high school are often the most challenging periods in terms of social skills, time management, academic expectations, and self-esteem.
What is the best medication for ADHD?
The best medication for ADHD depends on a range of factors, including:
- Age: Young children, older children, and adults may have different medication and dosage recommendations.
- Side effects: The best ADHD medication for an individual is likely to be one that best manages symptoms while minimizing side effects.
- Health insurance: Health insurance plans may have formulary restrictions or other limitations of medication coverage.
- Personal history: People with a history of substance use disorders may benefit from special monitoring or different types of medication.
Overall, the most prescribed medication for ADHD is a stimulant called methylphenidate.
What is the life expectancy of a person with ADHD?
Recent research finds that people with ADHD experience a shorter life expectancy than those without the disorder, likely due to factors like unmet treatment needs and modifiable risk factors (like diet, exercise, and sleeping habits). On average, men with ADHD experience a 6.78-year drop, and women with ADHD experience a 8.64-year drop in life expectancy.
What is ADHD burnout?
ADHD burnout refers to mental and physical exhaustion related to the challenging of coping with ADHD symptoms. It may lead to things like low self-esteem, fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, forgetfulness, physical pains, or frustration. In children, ADHD burnout may contribute to challenges with language development, school performance, zoning out, or social skills.
What is an ADHD meltdown?
An ADHD meltdown refers to a sudden episode of explosive emotional overwhelm, often driven by things like overstimulation, burnout, impulsivity, or frustration. People may experience strong emotions like anger or sadness, leading to behaviors like crying, yelling, throwing things, stomping, self-harm, or binge-eating.
Meeting with a compassionate, licensed mental health professional who has extensive experience with individuals with ADHD can be a good first step toward managing ADHD meltdowns.
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