Can an autistic child get Social Security benefits?

Yes, autism is considered a disability that is eligible for benefits, providing the correct requirements are met. The SSA's Blue Book covers what conditions children with ASD must have to qualify for benefits. To be eligible for SSI benefits, children with autism must have:

• Deficits in social interaction

• Deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication

• Significantly restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Parents must provide medical documentation to prove that their child has all three of the above deficits.

The child must also have an extreme limitation in one of these areas, or a severe limitation in two of these areas:

• Understanding, remembering, or using information (ability to learn, remember, and use information, follow instructions, solve problems, and use reason to make decisions)

• Interacting with others (ability to engage in interactive play, cooperate with others, maintain friendships, handle conflicts, initiate or sustain conversation, and understand social cues)

• Focusing on activities (ability to engage in activities at a consistent pace, avoid distractions, and complete tasks in a timely manner)

• Adapting or managing oneself (ability to regulate emotions, control behavior, protect oneself from harm, and maintain personal hygiene).

Currently, the full benefit amount is $841 a month. However, the SSA will then apply a formula to work out how much to deduct from this once the parents’ income has been considered.

As soon as your child is diagnosed with autism, start your claim at your local SSA office.

Below you will find a helpful checklist to ensure your child receives the benefits they deserve.

Checklist for Childhood

Disability Interview

When you apply for benefits for them, you should have as much of the following information as possible before your interview. You may receive a letter from Social Security requesting additional items. Be ready to give us your observations about the child’s daily activities.

Keep your appointment, even if you do not have all of the information. We will help you get any missing information. Check off the items below as you gather them for your interview. The Medical and School Worksheet below will help you collect the information you need for your interview.

Medical Information

… Name, address, and phone number of every doctor, therapist, hospital, and clinic that has seen or treated the child for at least the last year.

… Any medical records you already have, including the dates the child was seen or treated and the child’s patient ID number(s), if known.

… Medication(s) the child is taking. These can be found on the medicine containers.

… Child’s medical assistance number, if any.

Other Information

… Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any schools the child attended in the past 12 months, including the names of teachers, psychologists, counselors, and speech and other therapists who have seen or treated the child.

… The child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for early intervention services or Individualized Education Program (IEP) for special education services, if the child has one; and any other school records that you may have.

… Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any social service programs and the name of caseworkers that have information about the child.

… Name, address, and phone number of another adult who helps care for the child and can help us get information, if necessary.

… Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any employers the child has had.

… An original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. If the child was born in another

country, we also need proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.

… Names and Social Security Numbers for all the children and adults who live in the household.

… Proof of current income for the child and family members living in the household (for example, pay stubs, self-employment tax returns, unemployment or other program benefits, child support).

… Proof of resources for the child and parents living in the household (for example, bank account statements, life insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks or bonds).