Can You Get Disability for Alzheimer's Disease?
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Effects on Employment
Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect adults under age 65, impacting working-age individuals and making SSDI particularly relevant.
Symptoms that may manifest from this disease include memory loss, confusion, and reduced reasoning. Alzheimer’s can significantly disrupt job performance, especially in roles that require concentration, memory, or independent decision-making.
Does Alzheimer’s Disease Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Individuals who can not work because of a disabling condition may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, SSI. To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must be unable to perform substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. This impairment must be expected to last for at least 12 months or lead to death. Your functional limitations, not just your diagnosis, must show that you cannot maintain substantial employment.
However, even with a disorder as severe as Alzheimer’s, your work history must demonstrate that you have paid enough into the system through payroll taxes to qualify for SSDI benefits. However, if you do not have a sufficient number of work credits, you may still qualify for SSI, which is a needs-based program for low-income older and disabled individuals. You must meet the same medical criteria to qualify for SSI, but the program does not require work credits.
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s and Compassionate Allowances
Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease qualifies for the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program, which fast-tracks approvals due to the severity of the condition. Cognitive testing, neuropsychological evaluations, MRI/CT scans, and testimony from caregivers or family help support claims.
Meeting SSA’s Blue Book Listing 12.02: Neurocognitive Disorders
The Social Security Administration evaluates Alzheimer’s Disease as a neurocognitive disorder under Listing 12.02 of its Blue Book of qualifying conditions. To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, SSDI, or Supplemental Security Income, SSI, you must meet the specific medical and functional criteria. These demonstrate how the disease limits your ability to be independent and perform job duties.
Medical Evidence the SSA Requires
The SSA requires proof of a significant decline in one or more of the following cognitive areas:
- Complex attention – Difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, or processing information efficiently
- Executive function – Impaired planning, decision-making, judgment, or goal-setting
- Learning and memory – Trouble recalling recent events or learning new information
- Language – Problems with understanding or expressing spoken or written language
- Perceptual-motor skills – Difficulty with coordination or navigating environments
- Social cognition – Misinterpreting social cues, lack of awareness of others
You must provide evidence of these declines, including neuropsychological testing, medical imaging, neurological exams, and detailed observations from doctors, family, or caregivers.
You must also demonstrate extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interaction with others
- Concentration, persistence, or pace
- Adaptation or management of oneself
If you can establish the above requirements, you must establish that your mental disorder is “serious and persistent,” with a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both ongoing medical treatment ot therapy and that you have minimal capacity to adapt to life changes or demands.
The SSDI Application Process for Alzheimer’s Disease
To qualify for disability benefits, you must first prove the existence and severity of the condition. You will need a formal diagnosis from a qualified health care professional and relevant medical records documenting the condition, including neuropsychological evaluations and brain imaging.
Next, verify that you have sufficient work credits. Typically, workers must have earned 20 credits over the last 10 years before disability onset.
It is vital to file early on at the start of your or a loved one’s diagnosis. You can submit an online application, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local SSA office. If the person with Alzheimer’s is unable to apply themselves, a representative, such as a caregiver, family member, or legal guardian, may apply on their behalf.
Filing on Behalf of a Loved One
Sometimes, individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease need a loved one or friend to step in and apply on their behalf. If you are applying for someone else, you may need a power of attorney or guardianship. A power of attorney grants you the legal authority to act on another’s behalf. A power of attorney allows you to apply for benefits, sign forms, and manage SSDI payments on their behalf. It also gives you access to their medical records.
However, if your loved one did not execute a power of attorney before their cognitive decline, you may need to petition the court for guardianship to act legally on their behalf. Our knowledgeable team can help you apply for disability benefits, whether for you or a loved one.
What if Your SSDI Claim for Alzheimer’s Is Denied?
Approximately 70 percent of SSDI and SSI claims are denied during the initial application. Oftentimes, this is due to insufficient documentation or a lack of functional evidence. In response to a denial, you can appeal your case through several stages:
- The first step is reconsideration, where another case reviewer looks at the case again.
- If your application is denied on reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- You can appeal the judge’s decision to the Appeals Council.
- Lastly, if the Appeals Council rejects your claim, you can file a lawsuit in federal court.
Tips to Strengthen a Disability Claim for Alzheimer’s Disease
You can take practice steps to increase your chances of a successful claim.
Get a Detailed Cognitive Evaluation
Neuropsychological testing plays a crucial role in determining cognitive decline. This is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed psychologist or neuropsychologist. It evaluates how the brain is functioning in areas such as memory, reasoning, and executive functioning. Neuropsychological testing can demonstrate the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on you or a loved one’s cognitive functioning, making it solid objective medical evidence to present in your claim.
Keep Thorough Records of Daily Function Decline
Caregivers need to log behavioral changes, job performance issues, or safety concerns for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. This not only aids in taking care of the individual by identifying their growing needs, but it can also be substantial evidence to provide as part of your claim. It indicates that the disease is progressing and negatively impacting a person’s ability to live independently and maintain employment.
Work With a Disability Attorney or Advocate
Working with a disability attorney or advocate can increase the likelihood of securing benefits. These individuals know how to document medical evidence and showcase the impact of a condition on your livelihood.
At Disability Advice, our professional advocates can help with your case from beginning to end. Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, our team knows how to gather essential evidence and medical documentation to support your claim. We can also determine other disability benefits that you may qualify for.
Get Expert Help Securing Disability for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a challenging condition that affects both the patient and their loved ones. Applying for disability benefits can be legally complicated and emotionally taxing. At Disability Advice, our compassionate representatives can simplify the process and increase your chances of approval.
Call our office today to schedule an initial consultation to get started on building a solid claim.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
- Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Effects on Employment
- Does Alzheimer’s Disease Qualify for Disability Benefits?
- Meeting SSA’s Blue Book Listing 12.02: Neurocognitive Disorders
- The SSDI Application Process for Alzheimer’s Disease
- What if Your SSDI Claim for Alzheimer’s Is Denied?
- Tips to Strengthen a Disability Claim for Alzheimer’s Disease
- Get Expert Help Securing Disability for Alzheimer’s Disease
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“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.”
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