Can I apply for disability benefits for dementia while still working part-time?

Yes, you can apply for disability benefits while working part-time. However, the SSA will review your earnings and work activity. If your work is considered substantial gainful activity (SGA), your claim may be denied.

Can family members or caregivers submit information or evidence for a dementia claim?

Yes. Family members and caregivers can submit third-party statements describing memory loss, cognitive decline, daily challenges, behavioral changes, and difficulties with tasks such as managing medications, cooking, or handling finances.

What types of daily life activities does the SSA look at when evaluating dementia?

The SSA evaluates how dementia affects activities such as remembering appointments and conversations, managing finances, taking medications, preparing meals, shopping, personal care, communicating with others, and navigating familiar places without becoming lost.

Can dementia disability benefits be reviewed or stopped later by the SSA?

Yes. The SSA conducts continuing disability reviews to determine whether you still meet disability requirements. Benefits generally continue if your dementia remains severe or worsens, but they may be reduced or stopped if the SSA determines your condition has improved enough for you to work.

Can I receive both Social Security Disability and Veterans disability benefits for dementia?

Yes. You may receive both Social Security Disability benefits and VA disability benefits for dementia. The two programs have separate eligibility requirements, although VA benefits may be considered when calculating SSI eligibility.

Is dementia officially considered a disability by the SSA?

Yes. The SSA evaluates dementia under the Neurocognitive Disorders section of the SSA Blue Book. Dementia may qualify as a disabling condition when it significantly impairs cognitive functioning and the ability to work.

What specific criteria must be met to qualify for dementia disability benefits?

You must provide medical evidence showing a decline in one or more major cognitive areas, including learning and memory, executive function, attention, language, perceptual-motor skills, or social cognition. The decline must result in severe limitations in daily functioning.

Can you get fast-tracked approval for a dementia claim?

Yes. Certain forms of dementia, including early-onset Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, and mixed dementia, may qualify for the SSA's Compassionate Allowances program, which can significantly speed up claim processing.

What happens if my dementia symptoms do not perfectly match the Blue Book listing?

If your condition does not meet the exact Blue Book criteria, the SSA may evaluate your claim through a Medical-Vocational Allowance by reviewing your age, education, work history, and Residual Functional Capacity to determine whether you can perform any type of work.

What medical evidence do I need to support my dementia disability claim?

Important evidence may include a formal neurological diagnosis, neuropsychological testing results, brain imaging studies, clinical examination notes, medication records, a Mental Residual Functional Capacity assessment, and third-party function reports.

Why should I hire a disability lawyer to handle a dementia claim?

A disability lawyer can help gather medical evidence, obtain statements from healthcare providers, complete Social Security paperwork, ensure compliance with SSA requirements, and represent you during hearings and appeals if your claim is denied.

Disability Benefits for Dementia - Is Dementia A Disability?

Table of Contents

Is Dementia a Disability?

A large percentage of the population is suffering from mental and physical health conditions. The baby boomer generation is currently most affected due to their age. One of the health issues that is seen among that group is dementia. It is a mental health issue that is affecting more and more people each year.

In the US there are approximately 5.7 million people living with dementia. Every year, there are approximately 7.7 million new cases of dementia that are diagnosed worldwide. In total, there are approximately 50 million people who are suffering from this condition.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for approximately 60 – 70 percent of all cases of dementia. Though, it is common among older adults, it can also be seen in younger people. The impacts of this disease are enormous as the affects can be far reaching.

Not only does Alzheimer’s affect the person who is suffering from the disease, but it also affects their families, their career, their social interactions and their ability to ability to live independently. Today, 40% of elderly patients suffering from this disease rely on disability benefits.

Symptoms and Causes of Dementia

Dementia might be considered as a relatively common condition; however, the symptoms and causes can be varied. The medical community is actively researching dementia and continuing to come up with more information on potential causes.

Damage to the brain connections or a loss of nerve cells can lead to dementia. It can affect patients in several ways and the symptoms of the disorder depend on which area of the brain area has been affected.

Types of Dementia are typically identified by a protein(s) that are found in the part of the brain that is affected. Dementia can also be caused by a vitamin deficiency or a reaction to a specific medication. These cases may present like actual dementia but, unlike the disease, are easily treated.

There are also specific symptoms that one might experience. Some people tend to experience these in the initial stage, while others might experience these symptoms later.

Disability Benefits For Dementia

Common symptoms of Dementia:

Repeated questions and statements asked by the patient over and over.
Losing track of appointments, conversations, and events for a long time.
Routinely misplacing possessions and often placing them in unusual locations.
Difficulty finding familiar places and getting lost.
Eventually forgetting names of everyday objects and family members.
Having trouble detecting the right words for common objects and difficulty in expressing thoughts or taking part in the conversations.

Get in touch with a good doctor if you or a loved one show two or more of these symptoms.

Can you get disability for Dementia?

It is important to note that dementia can affect your thoughts, memories, behaviours, and learning capabilities. These are vital mental aspects that we all depend on to go through everyday life and damage to these areas can affect one’s lifestyle significantly. It is often treated with medication and therapy.

The treatments are diverse for dementia but, in certain cases and stages, medications can stop being effective. In these types of situations, dementia can certainly turn into a lifetime disability. Disability due to dementia is more common in older people than it is among younger ones.

People often become highly dependent on family members, caregivers and nurses due to this condition. They require aid and assistance with even simple daily tasks. This can prove to particularly challenging for both the individual and their loved ones as being independent becomes impossible.

It can also impact people emotionally, physically and financially. This is precisely why the benefits of social security disability dementia become so critical.

Applying for Disability for Dementia

You can find the details of the application from the official website of Social Security Administration (SSA). You can also check the SSA Blue Book if you have been diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
The Social Security Administration Blue Book is where you will find all the details needed for the claim. This may include information on the eligibility criteria, supporting documentation requirements, medical evidence requirements, and more.
The settlement amount might depend on the specifics of your health condition when suffering from dementia.
You can complete an online application for disability benefits for dementia on your own but, it is essential to make sure that your application has no errors because that will cause your claim to be rejected.
It is best to talk to an attorney before filing your social security disability benefits application. They are experienced and have the legal expertise to lead you in the right direction.

Why must you hire a disability lawyer for dementia disability benefits?

The reason to hire a disability attorney is that by doing so, you will feel confident as you begin the filing process. There are many steps to complete in a claim approval process for social security disability benefits. These steps are made much easier with the benefit of strategy and experience.

You might have a general idea of the procedure, but you do not have the practical skills of a seasoned attorney. People looking for an experienced group of attorneys to discuss the disability benefits process for dementia must contact our law firm.

We are known for providing trusted and dedicated legal services to clients for many years. The details of their expertise and areas of practice are all provided on their website for review. They have been helping clients get their rightful disability claim awards for years and now, it is our turn to help you!

Commonly Asked Questions about Dementia Disability Benefits

Is dementia considered as a disability by the SSA?

You can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if your symptoms will not allow you to work for twelve months or more. You can choose to apply for the SSD benefits even if you are not yet receiving social security retirement benefits.

Can I get disability benefits for early onset dementia?

You can get disability benefits for early onset dementia before the age of sixty-five. But you will have to prove that your limitations and symptoms are severe enough to prevent your ability to function day to day.

What is the age for early onset dementia?

Dementia is common in people over the age of sixty-five. Early onset dementia is the name given when the disease begins in the thirties, forties, or fifties and the person requires treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bill B. Berke

Bill B. Berke is the lead attorney at Berke Law Firm, P.A., with over 35 years of experience helping people get the disability benefits they deserve. He’s passionate about standing up for those who’ve been denied or delayed. Bill and his team work hard to make the process easier and fight for every client’s rights.