Schizophrenia is one diagnosis that can shatter your future and make you feel like your life is about to fall apart. Not only can this illness rupture your ability to judge reality, but this mental disorder can also impair your skills that require memory and organization. One of the less well-known symptoms of schizophrenia is disorganized thoughts and speech. Find out whether you could start receiving Pennsylvania disability benefits by asking a Pennsylvania disability lawyer for help.

When Am I Eligible for Schizophrenia Disability Benefits?

Being diagnosed by a medical professional is usually the first thing that happens before people apply for disability benefits. Once the doctor explains the likely outcomes of the diagnosis, you can start figuring out whether this will significantly affect your ability to work. This will help you decide whether you should start your schizophrenia disability benefits application.

Schizophrenia is a wildly misunderstood and complicated mental illness that can become worse or better with time. Some people recover with medications while others do not. One of the scariest symptoms of schizophrenia is losing touch with reality. Feeling like you have no control is common, along with these other symptoms:

• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty organizing your thoughts and speech
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Irrational fears that may be related to delusions or hallucinations

The four main types of schizophrenia are paranoid, catatonic, disorganized, and undifferentiated schizophrenia. You might be eligible for disability benefits if you were diagnosed with any of these forms of schizophrenia. However, your symptoms must be severe enough to impair your ability to work.

How to File a Disability Claim for Schizophrenia

Filing a schizophrenia disability claim is as not as simple as telling them your diagnosis. You must also submit as much medical evidence as possible. Medical evidence is key and will make or break your claim. Some of the following medical evidence is recommended:

• Medical diagnosis.
• Doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist notes on your symptoms.
• Notes written by a medical professional on how your diagnosis will affect your future work performance.
• Records of any medications you take for schizophrenia.

Other than medical evidence, you will want information on your work history. This only applies when you want to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because these disability benefits require enough work credits. If you do not have enough work credits, you can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSI provides monthly financial aid for people who still work or do not have enough work credits but need extra income. You will only be eligible for SSI if your monthly income is below a certain amount. Contact a Pennsylvania disability lawyer to learn more.

Disability Attorney in Pennsylvania

Filing a disability claim is not easy when you are dealing with symptoms that affect your mind. Consider asking a Pennsylvania denied benefits appeal attorney if you found out your disability claim was denied. Feel free to call Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (800) – 300 – 0909 for a consultation about your claim. Our team of Pennsylvania disability lawyers can work with you to help you obtain all the evidence you need for your disability claim.