Can Disabled Adult Children With Autism Receive SSDI?

 Posted on November 13, 2024 in Social Security Disability

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disability that can affect daily life. For some adults with autism, everyday tasks and even independent living can be a challenge. Parents with adult children diagnosed with ASD sometimes need extra financial assistance to help provide the necessary care, particularly if their children live with them.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) sometimes provides Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) to Americans with disabilities, which include autism. A disabled adult child (DAC) with autism can sometimes receive benefits under his or her parents. Qualifying and applying for SSDI benefits is complex, however, which is why it should preferably be done under the guidance of a Texas SSDI attorney.

How Can a Disabled Adult Child Qualify for SSDI?

Not everybody qualifies for SSDI. To receive SSDI benefits, the applicant must have a sufficient work history and have been paying into the Social Security system. Young adults with autism, however, sometimes have trouble maintaining employment and do not have enough work history to qualify.

Therefore, disabled adult children with ASD may sometimes qualify for SSDI benefits under their parents if the following criteria are met:

• The disabled adult was diagnosed with autism between 18 and 22 years old.
• The parents have a sufficient record of paying into Social Security.
• The parents are either deceased, retired on Social Security, or receiving disability benefits themselves.

What Will the SSA Look for When Determining SSDI Eligibility for Autism?

If an autistic adult meets the qualifications above, the SSA will look for the following factors when determining whether SSDI should be granted:

• The ASD must satisfy the conditions in the SSA’s list of disabilities. For example, the adult must be deficient in verbal and social behavior and be extremely limited in mental functioning. 
• The applicant must have medical documentation to prove that the ASD satisfies the conditions above.
• The applicant must be able to show that he or she cannot work as a result of autism.

What SSDI Benefits Are Available to People With Autism?

The SSA typically pays the same amount of SSDI benefits regardless of the type of disability. Like other conditions, the maximum amount someone with autism may qualify for in 2024 is $3,822. However, this depends on several factors, such as the person’s work history. For a disabled adult child, the amount may depend on the disability or Social Security payments his or her parents are receiving.

Someone who collects SSDI benefits for at least two years may also qualify for Medicare. If the applicant can pass a means test — meaning he or she is below a certain income threshold — Medicaid benefits may be available.

In addition, a person with ASD may also qualify for supplemental security income (SSI), which is another federal program under the SSA that provides financial assistance to disabled adults with limited income and resources.

Contact a Plano, TX SSDI Attorney

Applying for SSDI is often a complicated affair that sometimes ends in denial. At the The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, we help clients navigate the application process as well as the appeals process so they have the best possible chance of receiving the most possible benefits. Schedule a free consultation with a Dallas, TX SSDI lawyer by calling 972-671-9922 now.