April is Autism Awareness Month. The main goal of Autism Awareness month is to promote the inclusion of awareness of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and help them achieve the highest quality of life possible. Thatâs why we are here to cast some light on everything you need to know about autism and disability insurance.
Under the ADA, autism is described as a neurological developmental disability with a broad range of possible conditions that result in challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and proper communication. In the USA alone, there are up to 5.4 million adults with autism. Although the number of individuals with autism seems high, it is important to remember that autism is a spectrum that can range from mild to severe and looks different in multiple individuals.
What are Disability Benefits?
Disability benefits are benefits that offer assistance to individuals with disabilities. In some cases, additional income is provided to qualifying individuals due to the nature of their medical condition impacting their day-to-day lives. But let’s take a closer look at how they work for adults on the autism spectrum in specific.
Currently, the new Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid expansion offers those on the spectrum and their family members increased access to affordable insurance plans. These new plans help people cover hospitalizations, preventive services, and prescription drugs. Additionally, the Social Security Administration has administered two key programs to help individuals with disabilities: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. While these programs are different, their medical requirements are the same: only those who have a disability and meet medical criteria can be eligible. If you or a loved one has a medical diagnosis that lasts one year or more or results in death, you will be paid monthly benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is accessible to disabled adult workers who fulfill its eligibility requirements. According to the program, those who are eligible for benefits are individuals with a âsevere mental, psychological, or physical impairment that prevents them from working.â Eligible applicants must also surpass a certain number of work credits to get access to these benefits, which are earned through years of work and paying Social Security taxes. To check for SSDI eligibility, you must go through a work test and a duration work test. If you are young, you wonât need as many work credits. Keep in mind that the number of credits you currently have will not affect your SSDI benefits. It only determines your eligibility.
These SSDI benefits are unfortunately not very apt for individuals with autism since it demands previous work experience and they are mostly meant for individuals who suffer debilitating conditions midlife. Because autism is a congenital condition, it wonât “worsen” over time.
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program that is open to any person with disabilities without any regard to age or work history. All potential applicants need to meet the SSI eligibility requirements. In this case, the second requirement can be the most important one. Because SSI is a need-based program, it’s not meant to support all individuals but rather those who need it the most. If you have more countable income, you may be entitled to fewer SSI benefits. Eligible applicants to the program are expected to have very limited income and low access to financial resources. It is important to note that for the SSI, “income” is a very specific term and there’s a long list of exceptions that do not count as âcountable incomeâ for the program. Keep in mind that while individuals of all ages can apply for SSI, children may not be eligible if their family earns a large countable income.
Key Takeaways
Autism is undeniably a complex condition, and the degree to which it will impact someone’s life is hard to predict. Like life itself, autism is a condition that is not black and white. Thatâs why it is critical for people to screen for it at an early age. Individuals who do meet the qualifications for disability insurance and SSI should think about getting a policy of their own instead of the regular workplace policies to be better covered. If youâre not sure if you or your loved one qualifies for disability benefits, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider to schedule a visit today.
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