Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder, which can produce symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. This can impair a person’s interest in social activities and ability to work. If you or a loved one suffer from schizophrenia and are unable to work, you may be entitled to disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To qualify for schizophrenia disability benefits, you must meet all the requirements prescribed for a program by the SSA including proving that you are disabled. However, the Social Security Disability (SSD) applications process is far from simple or straightforward and the SSA denies more than two-thirds of the total applications made to it. You can improve the chances of winning disability benefits with the assistance of an experienced Schizophrenia disability benefits lawyer at The Keener Law Firm.
It is a chronic mental health disorder that affects a person’s behavior and thoughts. If not properly diagnosed, schizophrenia can even lead to “psychosis,” a condition which leads people to hallucinate, hear non-existent voices, and see things that don’t exist.
Different people could feel different symptoms of schizophrenia, but following are some of the general symptoms that may be experienced:
There are several treatment options to ease schizophrenia symptoms. However, it takes time for physicians and mental health professionals to properly understand your medical condition before finding a proper combination of therapy and medication to obtain the desired results. If you are left unable to work due to your schizophrenia disability, SSD benefits may offer much-needed relief.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough at a job or through self-employment and paid sufficient Social Security taxes to qualify for disability benefits. On the other hand, the SSI is a needs-based program, and you need to meet the prescribed income and resource limitations to qualify for SSI benefits. Resources or assets that you have to buy food and shelter must not exceed $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Apart from the non-medical requirements, you must also show that you suffer from a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted for at least 12 months or is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The impairment must have also prevented you from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
Schizophrenia could render you unable to work and lead to financial difficulties. A free consultation and case review with a compassionate and experienced Schizophrenia disability benefits lawyer at The Keener Law Firm could help get through the application or appeal process for SSD benefits. Contact us today to learn more.