SSI with Autism?

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Is it not unlikely an adult with severe Aspergers qualifes for US disability benefits with Autism?

(I did not need any testing or appeal and was approved in almost two months.)

I am a support professional and I serve people with severe disabilities. Some of them have severe autism, but they have other disabilities as well. They do received food stamps and SSI. Some have a trust fund. They really need this assistance. I am not sure what qualifies somebody; the only way to find out is to apply.

You probably won't be approved within a month. The backlog is too long for that. But, yeah, I was approved without an appeal and in about four months (I think). I was told that was unusually fast.

But please remember that SSI need not be permanent; it can be possible to become employable, through training or therapy, or in supported employment. Even if it is permanent, that doesn't rule out volunteering or working very short hours. SSI is not a death sentence for your career; it's just you doing what you have to do to stay alive right now.

I did apply and was approved. This was I question I had...an explanation of the SSI Autism listing is here: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/condit ... -2-53.html

Those criteria are written about children, though. I don't think they would use exactly that for adults. For us, the more important question is whether we can sustain employment.

The criteria seems the same to me for adults, with the impairment of employment. I can give the link for the "blue book" which gives the criteria for adults

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professio ... .htm#12_10

Their definition of "marked" is "more than moderate, but less than extreme".

Not to get all "Aspie" on y'all here....but you've been talking about 2 distinctly different programs.

SSI-Supplemental Security Income....I have to admit right here & right now: I know only a little bit about it (& that was because a childhood friend had Cerebal Palsey & rec'd a very SMALL payment in her childhood). That's the extent of my knowledge of it.

Social Security Disability....I have that. I earned it through working for so long & paying so much into the retirement system (also covers certain disabilities). I applied for disability & was originally turned down but won on appeal. In my case I was diagnosed with Major Depression. It has lasted for more than a decade. Part of me wonders IF I'm depressed because of my (then undiagnosed) Aspergers. I was FIRED from every job (save 3) I've ever had during the 90-day probationary period. And it was NEVER skill/work related...was ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS about my interaction with other people.

I meant Social Security Income.

Edit: the one by Social Security Administration...

Actually, children can get SSDI in some situations. People who were disabled before 22, who have proof of being disabled before 22, who have a parent who's not working can draw from that parent's fund. It's generally someone who one of their parents has died and who is disabled before 22.

I do know someone who is on SSDI - not SSI.

Also in your correcting - Where have they talked about SSDI instead of SSI?

Every bit of their discussion has been about SSI. Part of the application process for SSI and SSDI is the same between SSI and SSDI even.

SSI is disability benefits as well as SSDI as well - its need based but its something you need to qualify for, and you qualify through disability. Applications do go through the SSA.

If you're going to correct people, make sure you actually are correcting them with the proper information.

SSI and SSD are 2 different types.
I get SSD which is for more severe cases, and my father was in the military so i was aplicable for SSD so i get a check for me and my father who is passed away.
Some people get SSI.

It gets confusing this SSDI i've not heard much about.

I know if you are applying, it really varies as which state you live in. Florida sucks and has denied one of my friends so he has to appeal and try again with a lawyer. Evidently they are strict here.

From what i've heard if you have SSD and move to different state, your amount does not change.
With SSI it can vary if you move state to state.

Also depending on levels of severity, it would be how often you go up for review

It's actually Social Security Disability Insurance - SSDI.

And it is possible to be on as a child. In rare cases. When you are applying for SSI you actually must put in an SSDI application and get it denied before you can go through and get approved for SSI, because they'd rather you get on SSDI. And part of the questions for SSDI are questions about your parents.

Because in certain cases its possible to be on your parents work credits - not your own.

Yes, when I applied, I did not have the work credits I needed. But I was young, and the question was whether I qualified through my parents. The answer was no, because both my parents are still working.

I never said I was speaking from second hand knowledge. I said I know someone who is in that rare position. I actually have gone through the application process, and researched it immensely, because I'm actually in an usual situation in my SSI application.

I've also explicitly read on the SSA website about those details, because they are relevant to me, because I do have documentation showing my disability before I was 22 years old. It's something I'e looked into for myself.

Editing my opening question: does qualifying for Social Security Income (SSI) with Autism listing, mean I could be considered to have classic autism?


And thank you Callista and Tuttle for your responses. I am training to have a part time job, since I want to do more for my living skills.

It's possible to get on SSI through Asperger's, not classic autism, though the difference doesn't matter with the DSM-5.

Training to have a part time job is great . I'm currently working with vocational rehab, have a mess of an application for SSI in, and am hoping to get something worked out. Vocational rehab thinks eventually, once we get enough training, and if we can find a proper environment, I'll be able to work up to 20 hours a week but now I'm effectively unemployable. So, its a goal to work towards.