We frequently receive questions from parents wondering if their child with ADHD is eligible to receive Social Security Disability Benefits. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question.  ADHD does not automatically qualify a child for Social Security Disability Benefits. Whether or not a child is eligible would depend on the severity of symptoms. In order to qualify a child must be disabled and have "marked and severe functional limitations."  According to the Social Security Administration  (SSA), the definition of a disability is:

• The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and
• The condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.

What does this mean?

Children with ADHD must showed marked impairment in inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. In addition to this, there must be documented and marked impairment in at least two of the following:

• Age-appropriate cognitive/communication function
• Age-appropriate social functioning
• Age-appropriate personal functioning

This means that ADHD must severely impact a child's ability to learn, play, socialize or engage in other activities that would be considered normal daily activities for a child in the same age-group. The evaluation should take into consideration that the impairment is present in normal circumstances. In other words, if your child receives accommodations at school, consideration should be given without the services in place.

How are children assessed for SSDI?

When a claim is submitted to the SSA, it is assigned to a disability examiner. For cases involving ADHD, the examiner is probably has at least a Ph.D. in psychology and may consult with a psychiatrist during the assessment. Initially, all medical and academic records and documentation is reviewed.

Because there is no physical test for ADHD, the information the examiner has is based on the opinions of others. He or she may rely heavily on how the child performs in school and on any notations made by the teachers.  He or she will make a determination as to whether the ADHD causes impairment severe enough to be considered marked impairment.

How do you apply for SSDI?

You can apply in several different ways:

• You can apply in person at your local Social Security Office
• You can apply over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 or for hard of hearing 1-800-325-0778
• You can complete the Child Disability Report online, although you will still need to contact the SSA to complete the application, either in person or over the phone

In order to complete the initial application and the Child Disability Report, you will need the following information:

• Name of child, date of birth and social security number

• Your name, address, phone number and email address (if you have one)

• The name and address of an additional person who has knowledge of the child's condition

• The date of original diagnosis, a description of symptoms, when symptoms began, how the ADHD impacts the child's daily activities

• The name, address and phone numbers for all schools the child has attended in the past year

• A listing of all behavioral and learning tests that have been completed, including the dates of testing

• If the child has held a job, a description of the job and the name and address of the employer

• The names, addresses and phone numbers for all doctors, hospitals, clinics your child has been seen in for this specific condition along with the dates of treatment and the reason for each visit

• Information on any medical test, including the name of the test, the date the test was done and the name of the medical provider who ordered the test

• The name of any prescription medication the child is taking and the name of the medical professional who prescribed the medication

• The name of any non-prescription medication the child takes

You do not need to supply full medical records. The SSA will contact the medical professionals on your list to request a copy of the records. It is important, therefore, to be accurate with correct spellings of names, addresses and phone numbers. Errors can delay the review process.