Understanding SSDI Eligibility for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact and communicate with those around them. It typically appears during early childhood and may vary in severity of symptoms depending on the person. Some individuals with ASD can live completely independently, while others may need more support. 

Adults living with ASD can have difficulty participating in the workforce due to difficulties in communication, social interaction, and daily functioning. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) benefits can offer much-needed support for those whose symptoms limit their ability to work or their employment opportunities. Understanding the eligibility criteria for SSDI benefits is crucial for individuals with ASD, as this knowledge can empower them to seek the financial assistance they may be entitled to. 

To qualify for SSDI benefits with ASD, one must:

1. Have a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 
2. Demonstrate significant impairments in social, communicative, or behavioral functioning
3. Be unable to work or maintain full-time employment as a direct result of their ASD symptoms
4. Have a work history that has contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes

When applying for SSDI benefits, it’s important to gather comprehensive evidence from your physicians, therapists, or specialists that detail your medical history and the impact of your ASD symptoms on your daily life and work abilities. 

To learn more information about ASD, you can also check out these resources:

Spousal Benefits

Did you know that your spouse is eligible for benefits under your retirement benefits? These are referred to as “spousal benefits”, and they are linked to both the retired worker’s monthly benefits and the spouse’s age at the time benefits begin. By default, spouses are eligible to receive up to 50% of the retired worker’s “primary insurance amount” as spousal benefits. However, this is heavily influenced by your spouse’s age at the time benefits begin. (For an explanation of how “primary insurance amount” is calculated, see “Calculating My Retirement Benefits”.)

First, spouses must be at least 62 as of the date spousal benefits begin in order to qualify, and they must be at least 67 as of that date to receive the full 50% of the retired worker’s primary insurance amount. If they are not at least 67 on that date, their benefits will be reduced by 25/36 of one percent for each month before their 67th birthday, up to 36 months. If their 67th birthday is more than 36 months away at the time spousal benefits begin, their benefits are further reduced by 5/12 of one percent. Please note that these reductions are permanent, meaning spousal benefits, once awarded, cannot be increased even if the spouse turns 67.

To illustrate, picture someone that receives $1,200 per month as their primary insurance amount, and their spouse begins receiving spousal benefits on their 64th birthday (36 months before their 67th birthday):

The default spousal benefit would be $600 before deduction (50% of the retired worker’s primary insurance amount). Since the spouse’s benefits would begin 36 months before their 67th birthday, their benefits will be reduced by 25%. (A 25/36 reduction over a course of 36 months). This results in a monthly spousal benefit of $450. The spouse will not be eligible for the full $600, even after their 67th birthday, because they began receiving benefits prior to their 67th birthday.

By: Monte Cook Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Calculating My Retirement Benefits

The amount of monthly retirement benefits a retired worker receives, or their “primary insurance amount”, depends on their work history, the date they became eligible for retirement, and their age at retirement. Specifically, Social Security Administration will apply the “primary insurance formula” to someone’s “average indexed monthly earnings”, then make necessary modifications due to early or late retirement to determine the retired worker’s total monthly retirement benefits. Fortunately, it’s a fairly mechanical process, so it can be broken into much more understandable steps without learning all of the technical terms.

First, Social Security will determine your average indexed monthly earnings, beginning two years prior to the year in which you become eligible for retirement. (“Indexing” is a process that controls for rising cost of living and lower past wages, but for the purpose of this explanation, you can view this as simple average monthly earnings). Retired workers are eligible to receive up to 90% of the first $1,115 of their average indexed monthly earnings as benefits. They are also eligible to receive 32% of their average indexed monthly earnings above $1,115 but below $6,721, and 15% of their average indexed monthly earnings above $6,721. (This methodical application of percentages and thresholds is known as the “primary insurance amount formula”, and it is important to note that, while the percentages themselves do not change, the actual dollar value thresholds are updated every year to adjust for inflation).

Next, Social Security determines if a reduction or increase applies due to early or late retirement. Workers become eligible for retirement at age 62. However, their benefits are reduced if they retire before “normal retirement age”, and they could be increased if they do not retire until after normal retirement age. (“Normal retirement age” is 67 for anyone born January 2, 1960 or later, but a specific table can be found on Social Security Administration’s website). If someone applies for retirement before their normal retirement age, their benefits will be reduced by 5/9 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If they are more than 36 months away from attaining normal retirement age, their benefits are further reduced by 5/12 of one percent for each month beyond 36 months. (i.e. 5/9 for the first 36 months, and then 5/12 for each month after, resulting in a maximum reduction of 30% at age 62).

Finally, individuals can also earn additional credits (meaning “increase their retirement benefits”) by retiring after their normal retirement age. These credits are worth a specific percentage of benefits, though the actual percentage varies by birth year. (For those born in 1943 or later, it is 8% per year.) These credits can be earned until age 69, meaning a maximum of three credits could be applied to your monthly benefit.

By: Devon Brady of Premier Disability Services, LLC®