Is Schizophrenia A Disability? Learn Who Qualifies For Government Benefits
According to the World Health Organization, schizophrenia is estimated to impact 24 million people on the planet, which is about one out of every 300 people. This disorder can cause major distress, as it typically disrupts the realms of work, school, social relationships, and family life.
Since individuals with schizophrenia may experience challenges with maintaining necessary resources, some people may wonder if schizophrenia could be considered a disability and if those who have it qualify for disability benefits and related government services. This can be the case for people with schizophrenia who experience certain symptoms and cannot engage in substantial gainful activity. Disability benefits may be helpful in providing for basic needs, and professional help in the form of medication and therapy can often improve the mental health of individuals living with this disorder.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is typically known for involving psychotic symptoms, such as the following:
- Recurring hallucinations that involve seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling things that are not actually there
- Recurring delusions that involve believing something that isn't true
- Disorganized thinking, which can manifest as convoluted or nonsensical speech
- Unpredictable or unusual behavior that may appear to have no clear purpose or that may involve emotions that are inappropriate for the situation, which is sometimes called grossly disorganized behavior
- Acting extremely agitated for unclear reasons
In addition to psychotic symptoms, which are sometimes referred to as positive symptoms, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders often involve negative symptoms. Negative symptoms may include not speaking or speaking very little, not engaging with other people or maintaining a social life, not feeling or expressing emotions, and moving very little or very slowly.
What is a disability?
The term "disability" can have different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define disability as any mental or physical condition that makes it difficult to engage in certain activities or participate in the world. However, many people who have a disability under this definition do not meet the requirements to qualify for disability benefits in the United States.
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has its own strict definition of disability that a person must meet in order to qualify for disability benefits. In general, a person is viewed as having a qualifying disability if they meet these three requirements:
- They are incapable of engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) as defined by the SSA, which, in 2024, means they are unable to work enough to earn over $1,550/month.
- They cannot do work they used to do or adjust to a new line of work because of their condition.
- Their condition has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or is expected to cause death.
What are disability benefits?
Disability benefits usually come in the form of monthly payments provided by the government to people with qualifying disabilities. These benefits are typically provided in situations where a person cannot work enough to earn an adequate income due to a mental or physical condition.
There are generally two different types of disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI usually requires a person to have worked in the past, but SSI does not. Often, in casual conversation, SSI is just called "disability," while SSDI is referred to as "disability insurance."
Is schizophrenia a disability?
Schizophrenia can be seen as a disability for most people who have it in the sense that it tends to create limitations in terms of how a person functions and engages with their environment. However, not all people with schizophrenia have a disability as legally defined by the SSA, which means that not everyone with the disorder may qualify for disability benefits.
SSA disability benefits cover many mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, in which an extreme limitation keeps a person from doing much work. These disorders normally fall under the 12.03 category, which is labeled as "schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders." To qualify, a person must have delusions or hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, or grossly disorganized behavior or catatonia, as well as be limited in terms of mental function or have evidence that the disorder is "serious and persistent."
Can people with schizophrenia work?
Although people with schizophrenia often cannot work due to their symptoms, the biases of other people may also play a role in the low employment rate among people with schizophrenia. Research shows that many people assume that anyone who experiences psychosis is unemployable. The belief in this myth could keep people with schizophrenia who can work from being hired if they divulge their diagnosis.
Why can schizophrenia make working difficult?
Having schizophrenia can make it difficult to work for many reasons. Sometimes, schizophrenia negatively impacts a person's cognitive ability and, in those moments, may result in them being unable to think in the ways needed to do their job. Schizophrenia can also make it difficult for a person to communicate and interact with superiors and coworkers in ways that are considered appropriate and professional.
Negative schizophrenia symptoms, like not talking or talking very little, can also interfere with a person's ability to work. Sometimes, people with the disorder think slowly and take longer to process what is going on around them. This slow processing may interfere with their work performance or lead to a communication style that others may misinterpret or fail to understand.
How can a person apply for disability benefits?
Historically, people usually applied for disability benefits by visiting their local Social Security office. With advances in technology, however, this is no longer necessary if a person would prefer to apply from home.
A person can apply for disability benefits online or by calling the SSA's toll-free number: (800) 772-1213. To apply, they must submit personal information, work history, and medical records. The application process can take months to be reviewed and approved. Individuals can reach out and request more information if their initial applications aren’t approved.
Can therapy help with schizophrenia?
People with schizophrenia may want to consider mental health therapy conducted remotely. Remote therapy usually allows individuals to receive help at more flexible times and from the comfort of their own homes or any location they prefer. In addition, online therapy can be more feasible for individuals experiencing negative symptoms like a lack of motivation, although those experiencing acute psychotic symptoms may require in-person care.
Although research on the topic is limited, there is medical evidence that remote treatment can benefit people with schizophrenia. A review of 10 research studies found that remote treatment usually moderately improved the mental health of people with schizophrenia. After engaging in remote therapy, participants experienced a reduction in symptoms, an increase in functioning, and improved cognitive ability.
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