Indianapolis Social Security Disability Attorney

Mental Retardation

Adults living with mental retardation run the gamut of those possessing a sixth grade education to having severely impaired intellectual and motor skills. Some adults with an intellectual disability can hold jobs in entry level positions involving simply, manual tasks. However, because these individuals would not be able to safely or successfully live entirely independently without the aid of family members of therapeutic professionals, they qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

A Government Definition

As defined by the Social Security Administration, mental retardation refers to significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits in adaptive functioning initially manifested during the developmental periods. This means that evidence would demonstrate or support the onset of the impairment before the individual is 22 years old.

Meeting Requirements

In order for adults with an intellectual disability to be eligible to receive Social Security benefits they must meet a level of severity as defined by the Social Security Administration. The requirements include meeting one of the following:

• Mental incapacity evidence by dependence upon others for personal needs (toileting, eating, dressing, or bathing) and inability to follow directions; OR
• A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 59 or less; OR
• A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60-70 and a physical or other mental impairment imposing an additional and significant work-related limitation of function; OR
• A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60-70 resulting in at least two of the following:

• Marked restriction of activities of daily living
• Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
• Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning
• Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration

Speak with an Indiana Social Security Lawyer

Determining eligibility can be a difficult process to handle alone. If you are the parent or caretaker of an adult with an intellectual disability, you need the support of a Social Security benefits attorney who cares. Contact the Indianapolis social security disability attorney of the Law Office of Charles D. Hankey at 800.520.3633 today.