If you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, you likely already know that it is a condition that can significantly impact your ability to read, write, and sound out words in a standard way. Depending upon its severity, it could potentially make it difficult to work and function as you usually would. If this is the case, you may qualify for disability benefits.
While some who have dyslexia may qualify for benefits, those who struggle with dyslexia should realize that qualifying for disability benefits on the basis of dyslexia alone could be challenging compared to other cognitive disabilities. Understanding what might make dyslexia disabling and how the benefits process works can be tremendously helpful.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurobiological learning disability characterized by difficulty accurately recognizing and processing words. The exact cause is unknown, but it is a lifelong condition.
The symptoms of dyslexia can differ for each person, although there are some more common symptoms. These include:
- Reading difficulties: People with dyslexia typically struggle to process words in the standard way, which may lead to slow reading and processing speeds. Difficulties with reading comprehension are also common, and dyslexic individuals often have to read sentences multiple times to understand them fully.
- Spelling and writing difficulties: For the same reason that dyslexic individuals have trouble processing and sounding out words as they read, they may also have difficulty with spelling and can make frequent spelling errors.
- Verbal memory retention: Those who struggle with dyslexia may also have difficulty remembering spoken information. Understandably, this can create difficulties in jobs or classroom settings where verbal instructions and directives are given.
While these symptoms are frequently seen, there can be others as well. Symptoms tend to be similar in both adults and children. Although dyslexia cannot be altered, the good news is that it can be treated. Those who struggle with dyslexia are often very intelligent and quite capable of learning – they simply learn differently. Qualified professionals and specific dyslexia-based programs are often very helpful in this regard.
In very severe situations, however, dyslexia may be so extreme that it is debilitating. In those cases, you may be able to qualify for disability benefits.
What is Considered a “Qualifying Disability”?
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In order to receive either type of benefit, an individual must be able to prove that they have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more.
You may wonder what a “qualifying” medical condition is and whether or not dyslexia falls within that category. That’s a completely understandable question. Often, when assessing a medical condition, the Social Security Administration will consult its “Blue Book,” a reference guide listing medical conditions that may qualify as disabilities and their accompanying symptoms.
The good news for those struggling with dyslexia is that it is a condition included in the Blue Book. Specifically, Listing 12.11 addresses neurodevelopmental disorders that may qualify for benefits. These disorders include dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and various other learning disabilities.
If a condition is listed in the Blue Book and an individual can establish that they have the symptoms associated with that condition, then the condition may qualify for benefits, provided it has rendered the individual unable to work for at least a year. If a condition is not listed in the Blue Book, however, this doesn’t automatically disqualify an individual from receiving benefits. Instead, the applicant may simply have to submit additional and more substantial medical proof of the condition, its symptoms, and how it is disabling.
As noted, even though dyslexia is included in the Blue Book, it is often a condition to which individuals can adapt and, with the right assistance, can function quite well. If this is the case, it is fortunate – but it may also mean that you won’t qualify for disability benefits. As a result, consulting with an attorney who knows and understands the law is always essential. At Liner Legal, we’re here for you.
Liner Legal – Your Disability Benefits Attorneys
If you or someone you love has dyslexia, you need to know that you aren’t alone. There are many people, just like you, who have learned to thrive despite the challenges of this condition, and you can, too. You should also know that if you need to pursue a claim for disability benefits, the team at Liner Legal is ready and waiting to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys know and understand every aspect of the law that applies to pursuing a disability claim, and we’ll put that knowledge to work for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
