- Michael Burry
- Jul 01, 2025
In the United States, approximately 5.8 million people are struggling with dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If we go by the data for the year 2021, approximately 235,000 workers got approved for disability benefits who were struggling with dementia or other neurocognitive disorders.
If your dementia prevents you from working, you may be eligible for the benefits provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Let’s go over the SSA’s criteria for dementia in detail and how to apply for the benefits.
Is Dementia A Disability?
Yes, dementia can be considered a disability, particularly when it significantly impairs a person’s cognitive functioning and ability to perform daily activities. The Social Security Administration recognizes dementia as a disabling condition under its Blue Book listing Section 12.02 for neurocognitive disorder, which can be found in Section 12.00 for mental disorders.
Individuals with dementia may be eligible for disability benefits through the SSA’s programs, such as SSDI and SSI.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), dementia is a disability. In the US, the ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people who are suffering from disabilities in different sectors, such as employment and public life.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is used to describe a group of symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a specific disease but rather a syndrome caused by various underlying conditions.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but other conditions such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia can also lead to similar symptoms.
Types of Dementia
Dementia is not a single disease but a term that covers a range of progressive neurological disorders affecting cognitive functioning and behavior. The most common types include
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia.
Each of these neurological disorders presents unique symptoms and patterns of cognitive decline.
Can You Get Disability For Dementia?
It is possible to qualify for dementia disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. The SSA recognizes dementia as a disabling condition under its Blue Book listing for neurocognitive disorders.
To be eligible for disability benefits for dementia, individuals must provide medical evidence demonstrating that their dementia significantly impairs their cognitive functioning and ability to perform daily activities.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dementia
While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, common signs and symptoms include:
- Cognitive Changes
- Psychological Changes
- Difficulty with Abstract Thinking
- Poor or Decreased Judgment
- Misplacing Things
- Mood and Personality Changes
- Apathy or Listlessness
- Difficulty Adapting to Change
Stages of Dementia
Generally, there are three stages of dementia discussed as follows:
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EARLY STAGE: In the early dementia stage, people overlook it as the onset takes time. The early dementia symptoms may include forgetfulness, becoming lost in places, and losing track of time.
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MIDDLE STAGE: The signs and symptoms begin to become more obvious in the middle stage. Some symptoms that you may experience are becoming confused at home, difficulty in communicating, needing help in personal care, and forgetting recent names.
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LATE STAGE: This stage brings with it total dependence as memory disturbances are severe. People may become unaware of place and time, have difficulty in recognizing friends, self-care, and experience aggression. In this stage, individuals may lose the ability to control movement, including walking and performing daily tasks independently.
Eligibility Criteria Of The SSA For Dementia
You must meet the following criteria of the SSA before you apply for the benefits:
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You are experiencing symptoms of your dementia frequently
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Experiencing a decline in one of the six cognitive domains, such as complex attention, learning, memory, language, perceptual-motor, social cognition, and executive functioning.
The SSA evaluates mental capabilities such as attention, memory, and executive function to determine the extent of your limitations.
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Facing extreme limitations in two or more of the following areas
- Focusing
- Social interaction
- Understanding, remembering, and applying information
- Managing yourself and adapting to the changes
Individuals who require a highly structured setting for daily living may meet the SSA's criteria for disability.
Other Health Conditions Associated With Dementia
If an applicant is applying for disability benefits when they are struggling with multiple qualifying conditions, it may strengthen their disability claim. Some illnesses associated with dementia are chronic illnesses, including the following:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Age-related musculoskeletal disorders
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Early onset Alzheimer's
Is Dementia On The Compassionate Allowance List?
Some types of dementia that are included by the SSA on its Compassionate Allowance List (CAL) are as follows:
- Adult-onset Huntington’s disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Lewy body dementia
- Mixed dementia
- Primary Progressive Aphasia
- The ALS Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
Alzheimer's disease, especially early-onset Alzheimer's disease, is recognized by Social Security's Compassionate Allowances program for expedited approval.
CAL permits people who have severe conditions to get medical approval rapidly. However, these types of dementia mentioned on CAL need to meet the SSA’s eligibility rules.
What Is The Next Step After I Meet The Criteria For Getting Disability With Dementia?
The next step once you meet the criteria mentioned in the Blue Book is to apply for disability benefits. Before applying, you must say YES to the following questions:
- Are you experiencing memory disturbances?
- Struggling to interact with others?
- Struggle in recalling knowledge or skills.
- Experiencing loss of interest in almost everything
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes.
After answering, you may follow the guidelines, such as:
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You must apply if you have been diagnosed with dementia, symptoms are preventing you from work, or your dementia is accompanied by other disorders.
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You must wait to see if you can do some kind of work.
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You must not apply if you can manage work and earn more than $1,550 every month. Earning above the substantial gainful activity threshold may disqualify you from receiving benefits.
When you apply, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will also consider whether you can perform work that exists in the national economy, not just your previous job.
It is important to submit your application in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary delays in the review process.
How Much Is a Disability Check for Dementia?
Individuals who are struggling with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia receive an average disability check for dementia of $1,304.03. There are various factors that help determine the monthly benefits, such as income sources and work history. The amount you receive also depends on your work history and eligibility for SSDI benefits.
For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the maximum payment in 2024 is $3,822, and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is $943. Disability benefits may convert to retirement benefits once you reach full retirement age.
What Is The Next Step If I Do Not Meet The Criteria Of Getting Benefits With Dementia?
If you do not meet the criteria of the SSA for dementia, you may not get discouraged. Most of the initial applications get denied due to insufficient information or medical evidence.
However, you may file an appeal by getting help from a Social Security Disability Attorney. They will guide you in submitting all the additional evidence and medical records that you missed out on while submitting the initial application.