Although IQ scores can be helpful evidence when a person is applying for Social Security disability benefits for cognitive impairment, a low score does not automatically mean their application will be approved. Many people with low IQs can successfully maintain full-time employment, so an applicant will need to prove that their condition prevents them from working.
What IQ Scores Measure
IQ tests are intended to measure reasoning, logic, and problem-solving. They are considered tests of natural ability, as opposed to tests of specific knowledge a person has learned through life experience.
An average person has an IQ of between 90 and 109. Here are how other scores rate:
- Scores of 80 to 89 are considered low average.
- Scores of 70 to 79 are considered borderline impaired.
- Scores of 55 to 69 are considered a mild impairment.
- Scores of 40 to 54 are considered a moderate impairment.
- Scores below 40 are considered an extreme impairment.
Intellectual Disorder vs. Loss of Mental Functioning
Applicants who are receiving benefits based solely on an intellectual disorder must have an impairment that occurred before age 22 and a full-scale IQ score of 70 or below, or a full-scale IQ score of 71 to 75 with a verbal or performance score of 70 or less. Because they have insufficient work history due to their age, these applicants are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Older applicants who were able to maintain paid employment and earn work credits previously can receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. For an applicant with a loss of mental functioning occurring after age 22, such as a cognitive impairment associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the application is evaluated under the Blue Book listing for the correct neurocognitive disorder. This usually requires that the applicant’s current IQ be at least 15 points lower than their IQ before they experienced the impairment. However, since not all individuals have IQ or cognitive test scores from their pre-accident days, it’s often necessary to work with an attorney experienced in this type of SSDI claim to establish a baseline with which to compare their current skill level.
Have You Or A Loved One Been Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?
If you or a loved on has been denied Social Security Disability Benefits you need to speak with an experienced SSD attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Virginia Beach office directly at 757.490.3500 to schedule your free consultation. We have offices throughout Virginia including Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk and Suffolk.
FAQs
People with IQ scores that are below 75 might qualify for disability under the SSA's Listing 12.05 for intellectual disorder, while people with IQ scores in the low average to borderline range could qualify under Listing 12.11 for neurodevelopmental disorders.
What IQ do you need for Social Security disability? ›
Applicants who are receiving benefits based solely on an intellectual disorder must have an impairment that occurred before age 22 and a full-scale IQ score of 70 or below, or a full-scale IQ score of 71 to 75 with a verbal or performance score of 70 or less.
What score on an IQ test qualifies for intellectual disability? ›
Historically, intellectual disability (previously termed “mental retardation”) has been defined by significant cognitive deficits—which has been established through a standardized measure of intelligence, in particular, with an IQ score of below 70 (two standard deviations below the mean of 100 in the population)—and ...
Is there an IQ test for Social Security? ›
WHAT IQ TEST DOES THE SSA USE? In order to test your IQ, the SSA does not use a free online IQ test. To support a finding of disability for an intellectual disorder, the SSA requires the IQ test to be a standardized intelligence test.
Can a low IQ qualify for disability? ›
The SSA has listings of qualified disabilities, and a person with a low IQ can qualify as disabled if they meet the listing criteria. First, the intellectual disability must have been obvious prior to age 22, and the individual must have a full-scale IQ of 70 or lower.
Is an IQ of 70 a learning disability? ›
A learning disability is a condition that combines:
a low IQ of less than 70 (described as impaired intelligence) with. a reduced ability to cope independently and to adapt to the daily demands of a normal social environment (described as impaired social functioning).
What is the IQ for mild disability? ›
Mild intellectual disability
The measured IQ for persons with mild ID is between 50–55 and 70 (based on population mean of 100; 1 standard deviation of 15, and margin of measurement error of ±5) (8,10,13-16).
Is High IQ considered a disability? ›
Because the standard deviation of an IQ test is about 15, this means that about 2% of people score above an IQ of 130, often considered the threshold for giftedness, and about the same percentage score below an IQ of 70, often being considered the threshold for an intellectual disability.
What is the IQ between 70 and 85? ›
55 to 69: Mild mental disability. 70 to 84: Borderline mental disability. 85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright.
What are three signs of intellectual disability? ›
sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children. learn to talk later, or have trouble speaking. find it hard to remember things. have trouble understanding social rules.
Yes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews intelligence quotient (IQ) test results to decide whether to provide payments to people who are disabled by intellectual disability or as a result of traumatic brain injury.
What is the average IQ for a 62 year old? ›
The highest average score for people under 64 years of age is attained by those people between the ages of 55 and 64, who get 109 on the IQ scale. People between 65 and 69 years of age have an average IQ score of 114, which puts them in the superior intelligence or above-average end of the scale.
What should my IQ score be? ›
In general, an IQ score is defined with a median and mean of 100. Scores above 130 are labeled as above average or “very superior,” while scores under 70 would be considered below average or labeled as “borderline impaired.” Most people have an average IQ between 85 and 115.
What IQ is severity of intellectual disability? ›
IQ cutoffs for mental retardation in DSM-IV were: mild (IQ 50-55 to ~70), moderate (IQ 35-40 to 50-55), severe (IQ 20-25 to 35-40), and profound (IQ < 20-25).
What disabilities are associated with high IQ? ›
For example, studies have found that higher IQ is associated with more and earlier drug use. Studies have also found that higher IQ is associated with more mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
What are the four levels of intellectual disability? ›
Classification of intellectual disability
The terms mild, moderate, severe and profound may be used to describe the severity of a person's intellectual disability.
Is having a high IQ considered a disability? ›
Because the standard deviation of an IQ test is about 15, this means that about 2% of people score above an IQ of 130, often considered the threshold for giftedness, and about the same percentage score below an IQ of 70, often being considered the threshold for an intellectual disability.
Is intellectual disability defined by an IQ below 70? ›
Scores were reported as “mental age” divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100. The current version of the IQ test is standardized, and two standard deviations below the test taker's group calculate as an IQ of 70. An IQ of 70 or below suggests an intellectual disability diagnosis.
