Social Security Administration Considers More Sensitive Title For Mental Disorder

January 30, 2013

Mental retardation is listed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a condition that makes a person eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. However, many people have found the wording to be insensitive, prompting the SSA to consider revisions to a more suitable descriptive term for the condition.

A statement released through the Federal Register alluded to the term being changed to “Intellectual Disability.” In 2011, Congress enacted Rosa’s Law, which called for the change in terms in all federal health, education, and labor policies and literature. The SSA has said it would like to parallel these standards, despite nothing forcing them to do so.

The topic will be up for public discussion and comment for the next 28-days and will then be voted on to determine whether the policy will be adopted. The agency has made it clear that there will be no difference in the way claims of the condition will be evaluated.

The change has been expected for quite some time now, after the SSA indicated the need for the change in a proposed alteration to the eligibility criteria for mental disorders that was made in 2010.

The Disability Attorneys at the law firm of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin Disability Lawyers are hopeful the change will allow those who are disabled because of a mental condition to receive a more supportive and sensitive service from the SSA.