Types of Dementia That Can Qualify for SSDI Benefits

The term “dementia” is not a specific medical condition or diagnosis unto itself, but rather is what the National Institute on Aging (NIA) defines as “an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that get worse over time.” Accordingly, the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book does not expressly cite “dementia” as a condition for which a person can be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but various types of dementia are accounted for within the Blue Book. Under Section 12.00 and Mental Disorders, “neurocognitive disorders” are identified that include conditions that result in cognitive impairment.

In order to be eligible for SSDI benefits, a medical condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in the person’s death, and it must be severe enough that it prevents the person from engaging in substantial gainful activity. What types of dementia can qualify a person for SSDI payments? It will always depend on the severity of the disease or diagnosis. Our national SSDI benefit attorneys can explain in more detail.

Alzheimer’s Disease

 Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of dementia. It begins with “mild” symptoms, that can include the person repeatedly asking questions or wandering, but they may still be able to engage in most work and daily activities. As Alzheimer’s disease worsens, the person may have trouble recognizing friends and family, and ultimately have trouble communicating.  

Frontotemporal Dementia 

This is one of the only types of dementia that does not commonly affect older adults — it is diagnosed most often between the ages of 45 and 65, according to the NIA. It involves behavioral and emotional changes, movement problems, and language problems.

Lewy Body Dementia 

This kind of dementia involves gradual cognitive decline, like Alzheimer’s disease, as well as movement issues, sleep disorders, and visual hallucinations. It is most often diagnosed among adults aged 50 and older.

Vascular Dementia 

Unlike the above three forms of dementia, vascular dementia is typically caused by conditions like blood clots and strokes that disrupt the person’s blood flow in their brain. The symptoms are similar to other forms of dementia, which include forgetting events in the distant and near past, misplacing items, difficulty following instructions, exercising poor judgment, and experiencing hallucinations or delusions.

Contact Our National SSDI Benefit Lawyers Today 

If you or someone you love has dementia and you want to find out more about SSDI eligibility, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. As we have discussed above, there are many different forms of dementia, and various kinds of dementia diagnoses involve a level of cognitive impairment that makes it impossible for that person to engage in substantial gainful activity. Since forms of dementia discussed above cannot be reversed (and many involve subsequent and additional degeneration), the condition is almost always expected to last for at least 12 months or longer and/or to result in the person’s death.

One of the experienced national disability benefits attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can discuss your SSDI application based on a dementia diagnosis today. Contact our firm for more information about how we can assist you.

Sources:

nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/understanding-different-types-dementiassa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm