The Social Security Administration recognizes that people with Intellectual Disabilities may not be able to work. Under SSA’s Listed Impairment 12.05, Intellectual Disability is defined as follows:
Intellectual disability: Intellectual disability refers to significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits in adaptive functioning initially manifested during the developmental period; i.e., the evidence demonstrates or supports onset of the impairment before age 22.
The required level of severity for this disorder is met when, under 12.05 B, the claimant has a valid verbal, performance, or Full Scale IQ of 59 or less. Under listed impairment 12.05 C, the claimant can also meet or equal the listing if they have:
A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70 and a physical or other mental impairment imposing an additional and significant work-related limitation of function.
Additionally, a claimant can meet or equal a listing under 12.05 D, which is as follows:
D. A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70, resulting in at least two of the following: 1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or 2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or 3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or 4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration.
The majority of individuals whose testing falls below 70 are typically in the bottom 10% of “general learning ability,” which is a term used by the SSA to determine if an individual can work. If an individual’s IQ is in the bottom 10% of general learning ability they should be found unable to work at any job in the national economy. Many vocational experts and judges ignore this fact. If you or a family member is seeking disability benefits and has valid IQ testing from a psychologist that falls within the above ranges, you should contact our office and we can help you file a disability claim. Children with intellectual disabilities may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income.
Intellectual disability: Intellectual disability refers to significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits in adaptive functioning initially manifested during the developmental period; i.e., the evidence demonstrates or supports onset of the impairment before age 22.
The required level of severity for this disorder is met when, under 12.05 B, the claimant has a valid verbal, performance, or Full Scale IQ of 59 or less. Under listed impairment 12.05 C, the claimant can also meet or equal the listing if they have:
A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70 and a physical or other mental impairment imposing an additional and significant work-related limitation of function.
Additionally, a claimant can meet or equal a listing under 12.05 D, which is as follows:
D. A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70, resulting in at least two of the following: 1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or 2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or 3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or 4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration.
The majority of individuals whose testing falls below 70 are typically in the bottom 10% of “general learning ability,” which is a term used by the SSA to determine if an individual can work. If an individual’s IQ is in the bottom 10% of general learning ability they should be found unable to work at any job in the national economy. Many vocational experts and judges ignore this fact. If you or a family member is seeking disability benefits and has valid IQ testing from a psychologist that falls within the above ranges, you should contact our office and we can help you file a disability claim. Children with intellectual disabilities may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income.
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