Does Adult Illiteracy Qualify for Social Security Disability?
Adult illiteracy is not a condition covered by the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) definition of "disability." The SSA has a strict definition of disability based on medical concepts of disabling conditions. SSA will only consider illiteracy if it is a result of a serious mental condition that is already on the list of eligible disabilities.
Other People Are Reading
-
Definition
-
The SSA openly admits that the department uses a narrow definition of disability. To be eligible for assistance and services from the SSA, you must prove that you have a permanent and severe condition that keeps you from working. While adult illiteracy makes many daily tasks difficult or impossible, not all jobs are impossible for illiterate adults. Also, illiteracy is not a medical condition and therefore is not considered a disability by the SSA.
Determining Eligibility
-
The SSA publishes a series of steps that the department's case workers use to assess applicant eligibility. First, the SSA asks if you are working. If you are working, you are not eligible. Second, the SSA determines the severity of your condition by assessing how it interferes with daily tasks, especially work-related tasks. Third, the SSA checks your condition with a list of eligible conditions. Fourth, the SSA reviews your work history.
-
Conditions
-
The SSA maintains lists of pre-approved conditions that automatically make one eligible for assistance. Your diagnosis must be severe, however. No condition directly related to illiteracy is included.
Mental Conditions
-
The SSA lists a number of mental conditions as pre-approved conditions. A number of these conditions can prevent people from becoming literate, which means that illiteracy could be counted as a symptom. However, disability assistance is given on the basis of the condition -- and a doctor's detailed diagnosis of the condition -- not the person's literacy.
-
