Listing 10.06
Non-mosaic Down syndrome (chromosome 21 trisomy or chromosome 21 translocation)
This listing covers non-mosaic Down syndrome, a genetic disorder where a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21 in all of their cells.
Read the full plain-language explanation
People with this condition have characteristic facial or physical features, delayed physical development, and intellectual disability. If you have non-mosaic Down syndrome documented the way SSA requires, SSA considers you disabled from birth. There are three ways to prove it: a karyotype lab test (A), a doctor's report referring to a prior karyotype test plus the physical features (B), or a doctor's report describing the physical features plus evidence that your day-to-day functioning matches the diagnosis (C). You only need to meet ONE of the three paths — A, B, or C. Note: SSA evaluates only the non-mosaic form here; mosaic Down syndrome is evaluated under the body systems it affects.
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What Listing 10.06 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 3 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- A lab report of a karyotype test — the definitive chromosome test for Down syndrome — signed by a doctor.
- If the lab report isn't signed by a doctor, you also need a separate statement from a doctor saying you have Down syndrome.
- This is one of three paths; you only need to meet A, B, or C, not all three.
- Important: SSA will not pay for a karyotype test, and a FISH test does not count because it can't tell the mosaic and non-mosaic forms apart.
Read the original wording
A lab report of a karyotype test — the definitive chromosome test for Down syndrome — signed by a doctor. If the lab report isn't signed by a doctor, you also need a separate statement from a doctor saying you have Down syndrome. This is one of three paths; you only need to meet A, B, or C, not all three. Important: SSA will not pay for a karyotype test, and a FISH test does not count because it can't tell the mosaic and non-mosaic forms apart.
(Listing 10.06, criterion A)
- If you can't get the original karyotype lab report, a doctor's report can work instead. The report must say two things:
- Your diagnosis (like "trisomy 21") is consistent with a karyotype test done in the past
- You have the distinctive facial or other physical features of Down syndrome.
- A detailed description of the features isn't required.
- This is one of three paths — only one of A, B, or C is needed.
Read the original wording
If you can't get the original karyotype lab report, a doctor's report can work instead. The report must say two things: (1) your diagnosis (like "trisomy 21") is consistent with a karyotype test done in the past, and (2) you have the distinctive facial or other physical features of Down syndrome. A detailed description of the features isn't required. This is one of three paths — only one of A, B, or C is needed. SSA will not approve under B if other evidence (like how you function) suggests you don't actually have non-mosaic Down syndrome.
(Listing 10.06, criterion B)
- If there was never a karyotype test (or no information about one is available), you can still qualify with two things:
- A doctor's report saying you have Down syndrome with the distinctive facial or other physical features
- Evidence showing your abilities and daily functioning match non-mosaic Down syndrome.
- That functioning evidence can include school records, work history, or psychological test results.
- This is one of three paths — only one of A, B, or C is needed.
Read the original wording
If there was never a karyotype test (or no information about one is available), you can still qualify with two things: (1) a doctor's report saying you have Down syndrome with the distinctive facial or other physical features, and (2) evidence showing your abilities and daily functioning match non-mosaic Down syndrome. That functioning evidence can include school records, work history, or psychological test results. This is one of three paths — only one of A, B, or C is needed. SSA will not approve under C if other evidence shows your functioning doesn't fit the diagnosis.
(Listing 10.06, criterion C)
How long it must last:
No separate duration showing is needed: if non-mosaic Down syndrome is documented as described in 10.00C, SSA considers the person disabled from birth (the condition is genetic and permanent).