What IQ do you need for disability?

There are a few key factors to consider when determining if someone qualifies for disability benefits based on having a low IQ score. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific guidelines when it comes to assessing intellectual disability for the purposes of granting disability benefits. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at IQ scores and intellectual disability criteria to help determine what IQ level may qualify someone for disability benefits.

Table of Contents

What is considered intellectually disabled by the SSA?

The Social Security Administration defines an intellectual disability (previously called mental retardation) as significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning that exists concurrently with deficits in adaptive functioning and originates before the age of 22. This means that to qualify for disability benefits from the SSA for intellectual disability, the following criteria must be met:

Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning – This is defined as having an IQ score of around 70 or lower on an individually administered IQ test.
Deficits in adaptive functioning – This means limitations in two or more areas of adaptive functioning, such as communication, self-care, home living, social skills, etc.
Onset before age 22 – The SSA requires documentation that the disability originated and became disabling before the age of 22.

So in summary, the SSA requires an IQ score of approximately 70 or below along with significant limitations in day-to-day functioning that begin in childhood or the developmental period in order to qualify someone as having an intellectual disability.

What IQ score qualifies you as intellectually disabled?

The SSA does not have a strict IQ cutoff for determining intellectual disability. Generally, an IQ score of around 70 or lower is considered significantly subaverage intellectual functioning that could potentially qualify for benefits. Here is a bit more detail on IQ scores and intellectual disability determination:

An IQ score between 70-75 may still qualify in some cases, if there are significant adaptive functioning limitations.

An IQ score under 70 indicates mild intellectual disability.
An IQ score between 50-55 to 70 indicates moderate intellectual disability.
An IQ score under 50-55 indicates severe intellectual disability.

So while 70 is often cited as the IQ cutoff, the SSA looks at IQ on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with adaptive functioning skills. A person with a score just over 70 could potentially still qualify with sufficient evidence of very poor adaptive functioning.

What if you have a higher IQ but still can’t work?

It is possible for someone to have too high of an IQ score to qualify for intellectual disability criteria, but still be unable to work full-time due to other mental or physical impairments. In these cases, they may still potentially qualify for disability benefits under a different impairment listing such as:

Anxiety disorders – Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, PTSD and separation anxiety can all significantly impact someone’s ability to work.

Autism spectrum disorder – Autism that significantly limits functioning can potentially qualify you.
Depressive disorders – Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders may qualify.
Personality disorders – Antisocial, schizoid, schizotypal and paranoid personality disorders can qualify in some cases.

Physical disorders – Physical and chronic health conditions from back injuries to cancer may qualify if they prevent work.

So in summary, even if your IQ is too high for an intellectual disability approval, make sure to fully document all mental and physical conditions that prevent you from being able to work full-time. The SSA will evaluate your complete disability picture when making a determination.

How is IQ tested for disability benefits?

In order to qualify for disability benefits from the SSA under an intellectual disability listing, formal IQ testing must be submitted as part of the disability application. The SSA has the following preferences when it comes to accepting IQ scores:

Individually administered tests like the WAIS-IV or WISC-V are strongly preferred over group-administered tests.
Testing must be conducted by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified medical professional.
The IQ test should be a full-scale intelligence test, not brief or screening measures.

Testing should be comprehensive and culturally appropriate.
Outdated testing may need to be re-done with a current IQ test.

The SSA will scrutinize IQ testing to ensure it was properly administered and scored. Appropriate testing is critical, so it’s important to undergo a full evaluation with a qualified medical provider.

What medical conditions can qualify you for disability with a higher IQ?

There are a number of mental and physical impairments that the SSA considers severe enough to prevent any gainful employment – even with a higher IQ in the non-disabled range. Some examples include:

Schizophrenia – Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior and other symptoms can greatly impair ability to work.
Muscular dystrophy – Progressive loss of muscle mass and strength can become totally disabling.

Intellectual disability – Even those with IQ scores up to 75 may qualify with very poor adaptive functioning.
Major depressive disorder – Severe, recurrent and treatment-resistant depression may qualify.
Autism spectrum disorder – More severe forms of autism with greater impairment in communication and behavior.

Cancer – Depending on the prognosis and required treatments, certain cancers can automatically qualify you.

The key is having medical documentation to prove that your physical and/or mental health symptoms prevent you from being able to engage in any full-time work activities. Even very intelligent people can have disabilities that make sustaining employment impossible.

Can you get disability for being slow?

Yes, it is possible to qualify for disability benefits for being “slow” – but this would need to be evaluated in context to determine if it rises to the level of an intellectual or learning disability. Some key points on getting disability for slowness:

Being slow at thinking and learning could indicate an intellectual disability if IQ testing shows significant subaverage scores (e.g. under 70-75).
If no intellectual disability, it could still possibly qualify as a learning disorder if cognitive processing deficits are demonstrated on testing.
Poor mental focus, concentration, working memory or information processing speed could be signs of another disorder like ADHD, autism, depression or anxiety.

Medical documentation must show your functional limitations from being slow prevent you from working full time.

So while just being subjectively “slow” is not enough to get disability, objective evidence of an intellectual, learning or mental disorder that makes you unable to work could potentially qualify you for benefits.

Can you get disability for memory problems?

Severe memory impairments can potentially qualify someone for disability benefits. Some key points:

Amnesia, dementia and neurological disorders that cause memory deficits could qualify.
Testing like MRI, CT scan, memory testing and functional assessments would be needed to confirm the severity.
Alcohol or drug related conditions usually cannot qualify you.

The memory impairment must be so severe that work is precluded.
Even normal age-related memory decline would not be considered a qualifying disability.

So memory impairment on its own is not necessarily enough – there must be an underlying neurological cause that is verified, and the deficits must be so severe that any work is prevented. With medical documentation, severe memory disorders can get disability benefits.

How to get approved for disability with high functioning autism

Getting disability approved for high functioning autism can be challenging, but is possible in some cases if the limitations are severe. Some tips that can help include:

Thoroughly document social interaction and communication difficulties – how autism impairs your ability to communicate and interact appropriately with others, including at work.
Note any restrictive, repetitive behaviors and interests that affect functioning.

Include evidence of difficulties adapting to changes or stress, sensitivities, meltdowns etc.
Explain any difficulties maintaining employment or being productive at required pace in past jobs.
Highlight any special accommodations or supports needed to maintain employment.

Obtain statements from previous employers, teachers, family on functional difficulties.

The key is showing how high functioning autism symptoms substantially reduce your ability to perform work-related activities. With supporting details on functional limitations, approval may be possible in some high functioning autism cases.

What conditions qualify you for disability?

The Social Security Administration maintains a list of all medical conditions that can potentially qualify someone for disability benefits provided the condition meets SSA criteria for severity. Some of the most common qualifying conditions include:

Musculoskeletal disorders – Back injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia
Cancer – Types with poorer prognosis and significant symptoms/treatment side effects
Cardiovascular disease – Heart failure, heart attacks, cardiomyopathy

Respiratory disorders – COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis
Neurologic disorders – Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia
Mental disorders – Depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD

Digestive disorders – Cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis
Immune system disorders – Lupus, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis
Intellectual disability – IQ under 70-75 with impaired adaptive functioning

Any kind of physical or mental condition that prevents substantial gainful work activity may qualify, provided there is medical evidence to support severity. Certain terminal illnesses can qualify you for rapid approval.

How long does it take to get approved for disability?

Getting fully approved for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration’s process takes significant time – often 1-2+ years. The general timeline includes:

Initial application – Takes SSA 3-6 months for initial decision. Approval rates are only around 37% at this step.

Reconsideration – If denied initially, takes 2-4 months for reconsideration decision. Approval rate only 13%.
Administrative law judge hearing – If denied again, wait 18+ months for a disability hearing. Approval rate around 50%.
Appeals Council review – One final SSA appeal if the hearing denies the claim. Can take a year for a decision.

Federal Court – Final option is filing a disability lawsuit in federal district court, takes 1-3 years.

Given the long process and high chances of denial, having skilled legal help is extremely beneficial when applying for disability benefits. An experienced disability attorney can guide you through the process and present the strongest case.

Does everyone get approved for disability eventually?

No, not everyone who applies for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration eventually gets approved. A significant percentage of claims end up denied even after all levels of appeal. Here are some key statistics on disability claim outcomes:

37% approval at initial application level
13% approval rate at reconsideration (first appeal)
Around 50% approval at hearing level (second appeal)

Approximately 67% of claims are approved somewhere throughout the multi-step process
33% of disability claims are ultimately denied after all levels of appeal

So while many applicants do obtain benefits after going through hearings and appeals, around one third are denied after exhausting all options. The process can also take many years to get through fully. Having an experienced disability lawyer helps maximize the chances of winning benefits.

Can you get approved for disability based on anxiety and depression?

It is possible to get approved for disability benefits based on anxiety and depression, but meeting SSA criteria requires having very severe symptoms that are debilitating and prevent you from working. Some tips that can help include:

Provide records showing long history of treatment without sustained improvement.
Include hospitalizations related to your anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts.

Explain all your symptoms in detail – frequency, severity, how they prevent work.
Submit statements from friends, family, former employers regarding functional limitations.
Undergo current medical evaluations to assess inability to handle stress of work.

Document any medication side effects that worsen symptoms or functioning.

The key is proving with medical evidence that your anxiety and/or depression makes it impossible to work full-time on an ongoing basis, despite treatment efforts. With enough supporting details, approval is definitely possible for these conditions.

Conclusion

Getting approved for Social Security disability benefits based on low IQ or intellectual disability has specific requirements set by the SSA. While an IQ score alone does not guarantee approval, proving significantly subaverage intelligence through valid IQ testing along with deficits in adaptive functioning that began before age 22 can qualify someone. It’s also possible to get benefits with higher IQ scores through other impairments that still preclude working. Documenting the severity of any disability through medical records and supportive statements is key to getting approved. Working with an experienced disability lawyer is highly recommended to navigate the complicated process and get benefits awarded.