Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects about 1 percent of Americans. Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized speech or thoughts. Schizophrenia can cause occupational dysfunctions so it is considered a disability under the social security disability blue book listing 12.03 (ssa.gov).
In order to meet the social security’s disability listing, one must be able to prove the following conditions:
• Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one or more of the following:
a. Delusions or hallucinations
b. Catatonic or other grossly disorganized behavior
c. Incoherence, loosening of associations, illogical thinking, or poverty of content of speech
• At least 2 of the following:
a. Marked restriction of activities of daily living
b. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning
c. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
d. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration
Or
• 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
As discussed in earlier blog editions, meeting a listing is difficult and is not the only way to prove someone’s schizophrenia is disabling. If you suffer from Schizophrenia and would like help obtaining social security disability benefits, Tallahassee disability attorney Matt Liebenhaut serves North Florida and South Georgia and may be able to help.