Schizophrenia and Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability for Schizophrenia

I will discuss how you can be found disabled by Social Security for schizophrenia and the evidence needed to prove your claim to win your benefits. You will find on this page information on the Social Security disability medical listing of impairments for schizophrenia. I will also explain how you can be found disabled even if you do not meet or equal a listed impairment.

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There are essentially two ways to win a Social Security disability claim for schizophrenia. The first way is if you meet or equal the medical listing of impairments for schizophrenia. In order to be found to meet or equal the listing for schizophrenia it helps a great deal if your psychiatrist reads the listing and is able to explain in a report exactly why he or she feels you meet or equal a listed impairment. Along with this report it is important that you submit to Social Security all of your psychiatric treatment records, emergency room records, and hospital records. To get a better understanding of how Social Security determines if you are disabled in general visit my page called "am I disabled". Below is the medical listing for schizophrenia.

Medical Listing for Schizophrenia

12.03 Schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders: Characterized by the onset of psychotic features with deterioration from a previous level of functioning.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are satisfied.

A. Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one or more of the following:

1. Delusions or hallucinations; or

2. Catatonic or other grossly disorganized behavior; or

3. Incoherence, loosening of associations, illogical thinking, or poverty of content of speech if associated with one of the following:

a. Blunt affect; or

b. Flat affect; or

c. Inappropriate affect;

4. Emotional withdrawal and/or isolation;

AND

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration;

C. Medically documented history of a chronic schizophrenic, paranoid, or other psychotic disorder of at least 2 years' duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:

1. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or

2. A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate; or

3. Current history of 1 or more years' inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement.

Showing Schizophrenia Limitations to get SSD or SSI

The second way to be found disabled for schizophrenia is if you can show the limitations from your condition would prevent you from being able to perform a significant number of jobs. It is very important that you have opinion evidence from your psychiatrist that explains your medical condition and limitations it imposes on you. This opinion evidence, can come in the form of a report from your psychiatrist or a mental RFC form. It is also important, that the opinion evidence is supported by the rest of your medical evidence. You should make sure to include your psychiatrist records, ER records, hospital records, any testing performed, and any therapist notes.

Someone suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia will have an extremely difficult time handling their own Social Security disability claim. It is important for anyone with a severe psychiatric impairment to get help with their SSDI or SSI claim. A Social Security disability lawyer would be extremely helpful but at the very least someone suffering from schizophrenia should have a family member or close friend helping them with their claim. Schizophrenics who are awarded benefits may also need a representative payee to handle their finances if they are to win their Social Security disability claim. Of course not all schizophrenics will necessarily need a representative payee to care for their benefits.

There is a link between drug use and schizophrenia in some cases. It is important in a Social Security disability claim for a schizophrenic who uses drugs to understand Social Security's rules regarding alcohol and drug addiction. The important thing to remember is that if a person is using drugs or alcohol it is extremely helpful if the psychiatrist can explain what the schizophrenics limitations are from his medical condition excluding any limitations from drug or alcohol abuse.

We have attempted to provide up to date and accurate information, however the information in this site is not guaranteed. No attorney client relationship exist. The information in this site is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney.
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If you need help with your claim for Social Security Disability or SSI for schizophrenia call us at 1-877-527-5529.