Does Borderline Intellectual Functioning Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Borderline intellectual functioning is a term Social Security uses to refer to a cognitive impairment that applies to people with lower than average intelligence but who don’t have an IQ score that meets the criteria for an intellectual disorder. Lower than average intellectual functioning can be caused by birth injury, infections, genetics, fetal alcohol syndrome, or environmental exposure to toxins such as lead.

People with borderline intellectual functioning may have difficulties with many mental tasks such as reasoning, abstract thinking, and making judgment calls. When these difficulties are significant enough to keep them from working at any job full-time for at least one year, they may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If you’re thinking about applying for SSDI or SSI for yourself or a loved one with borderline intellectual functioning, it’s important to understand Social Security’s rules about when somebody can be considered disabled.

When Does Low IQ Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security awards benefits to people who have a medically determinable impairment that prevents them from earning at the level of substantial gainful activity for twelve months or longer. The agency will find that you’re disabled if you meet the criteria of a listed impairment or if you have functional limitations that rule out all jobs (even the easiest ones).

Borderline intellectual functioning is diagnosed by IQ test scores that are between 71 and 84. People with scores that fall within that range may qualify for disability benefits under listing 12.11 for neurodevelopmental disorders. (Cognitive problems that develop in adulthood—such as dementia or residual symptoms from a traumatic brain injury—are evaluated under listing 12.02 for neurocognitive disorders instead.) If they don’t meet the listing criteria, they may be found disabled under a medical-vocational allowance if they can’t do their past or any other work.

Meeting the Listing for Borderline Intellectual Functioning

In order to qualify for disability for borderline intellectual functioning under listing 12.11, you’ll need to medical evidence of at least one of the following sets of symptoms (the “A” criteria):

• frequent distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention, and difficulty organizing tasks
• hyperactive and impulsive behavior (such as difficulty remaining still or talking excessively)
• significant difficulties learning and using academic skills, or
• recurrent motor movement or vocalizations (“tics”).

Adults with borderline intellectual functioning who have difficulties learning and using academic skills will need to document their limitations with objective data like school reports, work evaluations, and IQ test results showing an IQ of less than 85. You’ll also need to show that your symptoms cause you to have an “extreme” limitation in one, or a “marked” limitation in two, of the following areas (the “B” criteria):

• understanding or using information (the ability to learn terms and procedures, understand instructions, answer questions, and provide explanations)
• managing oneself (the ability to regulate emotions, control behavior, be aware of risks, and avoid dangerous situations)
• concentrating on tasks and maintaining pace (the ability to start and finish tasks in a timely manner), and
• interacting with others (the ability to ask for help when needed and keep social interactions free of excessive irritability or sensitivity).

Extreme limitations are more severe than “marked” (severe) limitations, and generally apply to people with an IQ of 70 or below, which isn’t considered borderline intellectual functioning. Many applicants with borderline intellectual functioning can demonstrate a marked limitation in learning and understanding, but it can be harder to establish a marked limitation in a second area. Getting a medical source statement from your doctor can help Social Security better understand what your limitations are and whether they meet the listing requirements.

Getting Disability When You Don’t Meet a Listing

If you don’t meet the listing because you have only mild or moderate limitations in mental functioning, you can still win benefits by proving that your impairments make it impossible to engage in full-time work. Applicants with borderline intellectual functioning in combination with other mental or physical impairments have a better chance of showing they can’t work than applicants who have borderline intellectual functioning as their only impairment.

Your Mental Residual Functional Capacity

If you don’t meet the requirements of a listing, Social Security will review your medical record for evidence of mental limitations to assess your mental residual functional capacity (RFC). A mental RFC is a set of restrictions on the ability to work in the following areas:

• Following instructions. You have a limitation in this area if you struggle to understand, remember, and carry out detailed instructions. You might need tasks to be broken into individual steps that can be completed one at a time, rather than being given a series of instructions that must be remembered and followed, one after another.
• Supervision and training. Some people with borderline intellectual functioning may need close supervision or an extended training period.
• Concentration. If you struggle with concentration and focus, you could be restricted from jobs that require multitasking. Many people with borderline intellectual functioning are limited to jobs that involve simple, routine tasks.
• Pace. You have a limitation in pace or performance if you need extra time to complete job tasks.
• Judgment. Some people with borderline intellectual functioning struggle with reasoning ability, resulting in limitations on their ability to make work-related decisions.
• Social functioning. If you have difficulties communicating with others and understanding social cues, you might be unsuited to jobs dealing with customers, and your RFC will contain a limitation in contact with the general public or coworkers.

Applicants who have additional physical restrictions in addition to borderline intellectual functioning will have those restrictions reflected in a physical RFC.

Your Physical Residual Functional Capacity

A physical RFC will contain strength-related restrictions on the types of jobs you can do using what's called exertional levels.

• Sedentary work. This limitation restricts you from lifting more than ten pounds at a time, and means you can do jobs with occasional lifting or carrying things like files or small tools. Sedentary jobs are mostly sitting, but you must be able to walk and stand for at least two hours out of an eight-hour workday.
• Light work. A restriction to light work means you can do jobs requiring you to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally, and frequently lift or carry up to ten pounds. Light work requires frequent walking and standing and the ability to push and pull with your arms or legs.
• Medium work. Being able to perform medium work means that you can lift up to 50 pounds at a time, and frequently lift or carry up to 25 pounds. If you can do medium work, Social Security will determine that you can also do light and sedentary work as well.
• Heavy work. This level means you can lift up to 100 pounds at a time and can frequently lift or carry up to 50 pounds. If you can do heavy work, Social Security will determine that you can also do medium, light, and sedentary work as well.

Your exertional level is the bulk of your physical RFC (and, if you’re 50 or older, a key factor in determining whether you’re awarded disability under the grid rules). But most people who are found disabled are able to rule out all work due to a combination of their exertional level and other, non-strength-related restrictions called non-exertional limitations. If your exertional, non-exertional, and mental limitations keep you from performing your past work or any other jobs, Social Security will find that you’re disabled.

Evidence Needed to Get Disability for Borderline Intellectual Functioning

Social Security will look at school records, testimony from teachers or supervisors, and doctors’ notes when evaluating disability for borderline intellectual functioning. For example, evidence of difficulties with concentration may be found in work evaluations that show frequent errors. Progress notes from doctors, counselors, or therapists are also important as they contain these professionals’ observations about activities that you struggle to do and which can reduce or eliminate the types of jobs you’re able to perform.

In addition, applicants should submit their IQ test scores to Social Security, making sure to include information about the standard deviation of the IQ test that was used. The standard deviation could indicate that test scores tend to be high and may not fully reflect the applicant’s disability.

Applying for Disability Benefits

Filing for SSDI or SSI is a fairly straightforward process. You can choose from one of the methods below to begin your application.

• One easy way is to file your claim online. You don’t have to complete the application in one sitting, and you’ll get a tracking number so you can check the status of your claim.
• You can also apply over the phone by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• If you prefer to file in person, you can schedule an appointment with a representative at your local Social Security field office.

For more information, see our article about applying for Social Security disability benefits.

What If My Application Is Denied?

Few disability applicants are awarded benefits on their first try. If you're denied, you’ll need to submit an appeal (“reconsideration”) of your application before you can request a hearing with an administrative law judge. Most people who are awarded disability don’t get approved until after a hearing with a judge, a process that can take about a year (or more, in some cases.)

If you need help with your disability application (or your child’s), consider hiring an experienced disability attorney. A lawyer can handle communications with the Social Security Administration, represent you at a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, and increase your chances of getting benefits. Disability attorneys work on contingency—meaning they get paid only if you win—and many offer free consultations, so it doesn’t hurt to ask around to find a lawyer you like.