Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can interfere with daily life and, for many people, make it impossible to keep a steady job. For that reason, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes schizophrenia as a condition that may qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and can’t work, you might be wondering how to apply for benefits and what the SSA looks for in a disability claim.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that usually appears in early adulthood but can affect people at any stage of life. Researchers do not fully understand what causes it, but factors like genetics, brain chemistry, and environment may play a role.
Common symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Delusions (false beliefs not based in reality, such as thinking someone is out to harm you)
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or smelling things that others do not)
- Disorganized thinking and speech (difficulty following a conversation or making sense when speaking)
- Abnormal behaviors (ranging from agitation to a complete lack of movement)
- Negative symptoms (such as lack of emotion, withdrawal from relationships, or neglecting personal care)
For some, treatment with medication and therapy helps manage symptoms enough to continue working. For others, even with treatment, the disorder remains disabling and prevents them from maintaining employment.
SSDI for Schizophrenia
When you apply for SSDI or SSI, the SSA follows the same five-step process it uses for all disability claims. Here’s how it applies to schizophrenia:
- Determine if the claimant is currently working at or above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount set by the SSA for the year of filing. If the claimant earns more than this limit, they generally will not be considered disabled. The current SGA levels are posted on the SSA’s official website.
- Determine if the claimant’s symptoms from schizophrenia significantly impact their ability to carry out everyday work tasks, such as
- sitting
- standing
- reaching
- pulling or pushing
- lifting or carrying
- simple cognitive reasoning.
- Determine if the claimant’s condition meets or equals the SSA’s official listing for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders in the Blue Book. To qualify under this step, a claimant must provide medical evidence of symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, or catatonic behavior. In addition, they must show either:
an extreme limitation in one area of mental functioning, or marked limitations in at least two areas (understanding and applying information, interacting with others, concentration and pace, or adapting and managing oneself),
OR
ongoing schizophrenia documented over at least two years, with evidence of repeated medical treatment and difficulty adjusting to daily life.
- Determine if the claimant can still perform any work they previously held despite the limitations caused by schizophrenia.
- Determine if the claimant can adjust to any other type of work based on their:
- age
- education
- past work experience
- remaining mental and physical abilities
Getting Help with Your Disability Claim for Schizophrenia
Applying for disability benefits with schizophrenia can be complex. You need to provide proof of a medical diagnosis and detailed evidence showing how the illness impacts your daily functioning, especially your ability to work.
Unfortunately, many first-time claims get denied simply because the application fails to clearly establish the connection between symptoms and work limitations. That’s where having an experienced disability attorney comes in.
At Brock & Stout, our disability lawyers have more than 25 years of experience helping clients build strong Social Security claims. We understand the SSA’s process, the medical evidence needed, and how to present your case for the best chance at approval.
Contact us today for a free evaluation. If schizophrenia has made it impossible for you or a loved one to keep working, let us assist you in getting the benefits you need and deserve.