Schizophrenia Disability Lawyer in California

Schizophrenia: Understanding the Condition and Your Disability Benefits

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental health disorder causing hallucinations and delusional thoughts. Although some individuals respond well to prescribed medications and other forms of treatment, many others cannot work and struggle financially from uncontrolled symptoms of the disorder or side effects of the treatment medications.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, claiming disability for schizophrenia can provide a cash payment each month and medical benefits through Medicare or Medicaid. For more than four decades, the disability lawyers at Sackett Law have helped people in Northern California and throughout the country with disability claims for schizophrenia and other mental health disorders for more than four decades.

Navigating the complexities of the application process for schizophrenia disability benefits is a challenge. Sackett Law can help, starting with this guide explaining what it takes to successfully meet the requirements for schizophrenia disability eligibility.

Schizophrenia As A Disability Condition - A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms and Treatment

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder affecting a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Symptoms may include the following:

1. Hallucinations: Hearing voices or seeing things that are not real but appear real to someone suffering from the disorder.
2. Delusions: Schizophrenia causes most people suffering from the disorder to believe in things that are not true or real. For example, someone may believe they are famous or that a natural disaster is about to occur. It also may cause a person to have a mistaken belief that other people are out to harm them.
3. Disorganized speech and motor behavior: A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty speaking to others because they cannot put words or thoughts together. Adults may exhibit childlike actions or movements or be agitated due to an inability to control motor behavior.

The symptoms may vary in severity and type over time and can cause a person to withdraw from contact with family and friends or to lose interest in activities that once gave them pleasure.

A person who may be suffering from schizophrenia must be evaluated by a psychiatrist or other health care professional for the disorder to be correctly diagnosed and treated. Mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications may be prescribed along with psychotherapy to treat symptoms caused by the disorder.

SSDI And SSI For Schizophrenia

The Social Security Administration oversees two disability benefit programs for people who cannot work because of a medical condition. Social Security Disability Insurance is an entitlement program available to disabled workers.

You need to work at jobs where the earnings are subject to payment of Social Security taxes. The work history must be long and recent enough to meet the eligibility requirements for SSDI.

The other program administered by the SSA is Supplemental Security Income. You do not need a work history to be eligible for SSI, but you must meet income restrictions and cannot own assets valued more than $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 for eligible couples.

Both programs require that you be disabled according to the definition the SSA uses to determine eligibility. You must have a medical condition documented by medical records showing a physical or mental impairment that keeps you from doing substantial work activity. The impairment or a combination of impairments must be expected to last at least one year or result in death.

Is Schizophrenia A Disability?

Claims examiners use a listing of impairments or Blue Book to help them decide if an applicant claiming disability qualifies for SSDI or SSI for schizophrenia. Each listing contains criteria that medical records must prove to determine that a person is disabled.

Section 12.03 is the listing for schizophrenia. It requires medical evidence proving the presence of at least one of the following symptoms:

1. Catatonia
2. Delusions or hallucinations
3. Grossly disorganized behavior
4. Disorganized thinking or speech

You also must have other limitations to meet the criteria of the listing to prove that your schizophrenia disorder causes a disability severe enough to qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you do not meet the listing requirements, you may be eligible for benefits if examiners decide you cannot do work you did in the past or adapt to doing other types of jobs available in the national economy.

Appealing A Denial Of Benefits For Schizophrenia

The SSA approves fewer than one-third of claims for disability benefits during the initial application review process. Someone who has schizophrenia and disability qualifications has recourse in the appeal process. Steps to turn a denial into an approval include:

1. Reconsideration: Asking for a claim review by examiners not involved in the original review process.
2. Hearing with an administrative law judge: Hearing where your disability lawyer can present evidence and witnesses supporting your claim.
3. Appeals Council review: A request to review the decision by an Appeals Council.
4. Federal court review: A court action asking a judge of the U.S. District Court to reverse the denial of benefits.

If an appeal does not result in approval of Social Security disability for schizophrenia, you do not owe a fee to Sackett Law.

Contact Sackett Law To Learn More About Schizophrenia And Disability Qualifications

Let a disability lawyer explain disability claims for schizophrenia by contacting Sackett Law today for a free consultation. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.