Help for People on the Autism Spectrum & Their Families

Help for People on the Autism Spectrum & Their Families

Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

Social Security is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for our benefits receive them.  We provide income security for the diverse populations we serve. This includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

Many parents and caretakers of children with disabilities lose work hours and income because of their children’s care needs.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly financial support to low-income families with children who have developmental and behavioral disabilities. These include ASD and physical impairments. For more information on SSI, please visit ssa.gov/ssi.

People with ASD may have questions about how ASD affects their employment options.  They may also see their ASD as a barrier to employment. Employers have started to recognize that many people with ASD can bring a variety of skills and strengths to the workplace. Our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security and want to work. The Ticket Program helps get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other employment support services. For more information about this program please read ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10061.pdf.

We recognize the need to support, understand, accept, include, and empower those on the autism spectrum. Please share this information with friends and family and help us spread the word on social media!

About the author

Brandon P. Smith is the author of Northeast Ohio Thrive’s Social Security & You blog. He is a Social Security public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. A Cleveland native, he joined the SSA in 2003. He is the primary contact for media relations, outreach, and presentations for the agency in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. In addition to other communications awards, Brandon received a Deputy Commissioner Citation from Social Security’s Office of Communication in 2015 for his outstanding public affairs support of the agency’s national communication initiatives.

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