Dementia is a group of health conditions that results in the impairment of more than one brain function, such as the loss of memory, problem-solving, language, social skills, and thinking abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common conditions, as well as head injuries and stroke-related injuries.
While dementia generally happens to elderly patients, the onset of symptoms from this disease may occur at any age. You may request a neuropsychological evaluation from your doctor to determine if you have dementia.
Qualifying for SSDI Benefits with Dementia
If you are unable to work for 12 months or more because of dementia symptoms, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Keep in mind, you can only apply for SSDI benefits if you are not receiving retirement benefits. When you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefits will become retirement benefits.
If you meet the requirements of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) listing of impairments, or your dementia has limited your functioning to the point where you cannot perform your past work duties or other work, the SSA will find you disabled. Dementia is commonly listed as a “neurocognitive disorder.”
In order to meet the neurocognitive disorder listing, you must obtain medical evidence that shows your abilities have substantially declines in at least one of the following areas:
-
Memory and the ability to learn
-
Judgment and the ability to plan
-
Physical coordination
-
Using language properly
-
Listening/paying attention to others
-
Social skills
If you are able to prove significant decline in one of the above areas, the SSA will determine if your functioning is severely limited by this decline based on two types of limitations: extreme limitation or Marked (above moderate) limitation.
You need to have either an extreme limitation in one of the following areas or a marked limitation in two of the following areas:
-
Remembering, understanding, or using information
-
Focusing on tasks and the ability to finish them
-
Adapting or being able to manage yourself
-
Social interaction
Common examples of medical evidence to prove dementia include the results from, neuropsychological testing, intelligence testing, psychological testing, any hospitalization related to the condition ,and frequent medical visits related to the condition.
If your SSDI benefits application was denied in Plano or Fort Worth, TX, contact Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC today at 888-4-ZEN-LAW for a free case evaluation. Providing experienced and personalized legal representation to our clients.