Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
Can You Get Disability for ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. It hinders the ability to focus, control hyperactivity, and manage impulsivity, making daily activities—including school and work—particularly challenging.
Adults with a sufficient work history can receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or SSDI, for ADHD. Children and low-income adults with ADHD may qualify for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, a needs-based disability program. The Social Security Administration has strict eligibility requirements, and even a technical error on your application can lead to a denial.
Does ADHD Qualify for Disability Benefits?
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have more than the doctor’s diagnosis of ADHD. The SSA’s Listing of Impairments enumerates the conditions that qualify for disability benefits. While the Listings does not explicitly list ADHD as a qualifying condition, its symptoms are found under Section 12.11 Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
You must meet all the medical criteria listed in the Listings, and the evidence submitted with your application must demonstrate that you have the listed symptoms and limitations of mental functioning.
In addition, you will want to include evidence of other conditions that affect your ability to work. For example, many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety disorder, which can be a disabling condition.
Meeting the Listings of Impairments Criteria for ADHD
The Listings details several medical and mental functioning ADHD disability criteria. For a disability examiner to approve your disability claim using the Listings, , your evidence must meet the requirements of both Section A and Section B, as provided below:
Section A
Medical evidence of symptoms from paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 below:
- One or both of:
- Frequent distraction, difficulty sustaining attention, difficulty organizing your tasks; OR
- Hyperactive and impulsive behavior, such as difficulty staying seated, excessive talking, difficulty waiting, appearing restless, or acting as if being “driven by a motor”
- Significant difficulties in learning and applying academic skills, OR
- Recurring motor movement, talking, or making sounds
AND
Section B
You must exhibit extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
To qualify for SSDI, you generally must meet these and other SSDI eligibility criteria. For instance, you must have earned sufficient work credits, meaning you paid enough into the Social Security system through payroll deductions to be considered “fully insured” by the SSA.
Even if you satisfy the work credit requirements, you must still prove that your disability prevents you from earning a substantial income. You need to demonstrate that you are unable to perform your past jobs or adapt to new types of work. The SSA evaluates your current work capacity by considering factors such as age, training, and how your disability affects you.
Medical Vocational Allowances and ADHD
Even if you don’t meet the Listings criteria, you may still be eligible for ADHD disability benefits. If a disability examiner finds that you don’t qualify under the medical criteria, they will assess your overall functioning and work capacity. If the combined effects of your ADHD and other conditions prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity, you could be granted a Medical Vocational Allowance, which qualifies you for SSDI benefits.
To determine if you qualify for a medical-vocational allowance, the disability examiner and the state agency medical consultant assesses your Mental Residual Functional Capacity, or MRFC. The MRFC is an administrative assessment of the extent to which your medically determinable impairment(s), including any related symptoms, may cause mental limitations or restrictions that may affect your capacity to do work-related mental activities. The MRFC is your maximum remaining ability to do sustained work activities in an ordinary work setting on a regular and continuing basis.
If the disability examiner or the DDS state agency medical consultant cannot complete this assessment, you may have to undergo a consultative examination (CE) during this process. The CE is a physical or mental examination or test purchased for you at the Social Security Administration’s request and expense from a treating source or another medical source.
If you have significant limitations in daily life and an inability to work due to ADHD and other factors, such as anxiety, the disability examiner and DDS state agency medical consultant can determine that your condition is disabling and award benefits.
If you are not approved for SSDI or SSI disability benefits, some states provide other-related benefits for ADHD.
The Application Process for ADHD SSDI
To apply for SSDI, you must complete the application and include medical evidence that shows that you meet medical and past work criteria. Your evidence must show that you cannot engage in substantial gainful activity due to your condition or conditions.
Complete your application very carefully. Technical issues such as incomplete applications were a large part of why the SSA only approved about 20 percent of SSDI claims between 2013 and 2022.
You must thoroughly complete the Work History Report or SSA-3369 describing your previous work for the last five years. Include a complete list of your previous employers, job titles, and the dates you worked for them. Provide information about any other benefits you receive, like workers compensation, as they may affect your SSDI benefits.
You can apply for SSDI online, in person, or by mail. If you wish to apply in person, use the SSA locator tool to find the regional office closest to you. To estimate how much a disability check is for ADHD, use our SSDI calculator.
For someone with ADHD, gathering all the necessary documentation and filling out an SSDI application can be particularly challenging. Instead of risking a denial by going it alone, consider asking for help. Have a trusted friend or family member review your information, and reach out to Disability Advice for additional support.
Importance of Medical Evidence
When you assemble your evidence, compare the Listing criteria for ADHD to your documentation. Missing documentation or other supporting documentation could result in benefits denial. If you are missing medical documentation, talk to your doctor about assessing you for specific SSDI criteria.
Do not submit your application if you are missing evidence, as that could significantly delay benefits. As of 2024, the average decision time for an SSDI initial claim was six to eight months. The decision time for an appeal was close to one year.
Writing a Strong Application
You must have a strong application for SSDI benefits. to accompany your evidence. SSDI benefits are for people who have a minimal ability to work based on their disability. Your application must include a compelling case for why working is so difficult for you because of your ADHD. Detail your daily struggles as well.
If you are over 50 or don’t have an advanced degree, reiterate that in your application. Your age and lack of higher education affect your ability to find work, which strengthens your disability case.
Pay particular attention to the Remarks section of the SSDI application. This is where you can explain in detail how your ADHD affects you. Be open, as this section gives your heartfelt perspective to a disability examiner.
Challenges in Getting Approved for ADHD
Review your application several times before you submit it, and watch for the common reasons the SSA denies SSDI applications, including:
- Lack of medical evidence that you have ADHD or meet the Listing criteria
- Evidence failing to show you've had ADHD for at least 12 months
- Lack of evidence that your ability to work is limited
- Filling out the application incorrectly
- Not following prescribed treatment or missing medical appointments
You must attend a consultative examination if the SSA requires one to obtain further evidence. Keep up your ADHD treatment, document your limitations, and reach-out to ADHD experts. These efforts will strengthen your claim for disability benefits.
Disability Benefits for Adults vs. Children With ADHD
As an adult, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI for ADHD. SSI is a need-based program and does not have SSDI’s work requirements. You must have limited income and resources to qualify for SSI. In limited circumstances, you can get both SSI and SSDI.
SSI is also available to children with a physical or mental condition that seriously impedes their activities and is expected to last at least a year. The SSA provides a Child Disability Starter Kit to help with the application.
Because SSI is needs-based, your application must include information about your household income and resources.
What if My ADHD SSDI Claim Was Denied?
If the SSA denies your claim, Disability Advice can help you fight for your rights at an SSDI appeal. A skilled and knowledgeable SSADI advocate can help you avoid mistakes and maximize your chances of winning benefits.
You must file your appeal within 60 days, so contact Disability Advice immediately so we can help you build a strong claim.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“I was very pleased and impressed by the advocate. I feel that my chances of receiving my disability benefits are more likely to come in a timely manner.”
Danny C.
Fill in the form below and let us know how we can help you!
"*" indicates required fields
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very thorough with answering all of my questions and making sure all my information was correct. He was very patient, kind, and was very helpful. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify, and he checked and took all of my information. The process was made very easy, thank you so much for your help.”
Patrice I.