Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that causes cycling periods of depression and mania, breaks from reality, and emotional disturbances. You may still experience manic-depressive or psychotic symptoms, even when strictly following a treatment plan.
People with this disorder often find it difficult to maintain a job due to the unpredictability and severity of their symptoms. Fortunately, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits for schizoaffective disorder to help pay your daily expenses if your illness prevents you from maintaining employment.
What Can I Do If My Schizoaffective Disorder List of Complications Prevents Me From Working?
If you have schizoaffective disorder, your doctor will likely prescribe medication and other therapies to help relieve symptoms. Even when it’s well-controlled, though, schizoaffective disorder often causes concentration, cognitive, sleep, and communication issues, which can make it hard to interact in social situations.
If your symptoms make working impossible, you can apply for benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Your illness must, however, meet certain conditions for approval. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that applicants suffering from schizoaffective disorder either:
- show that your medical condition severely debilitates your functional capacity to the point that you cannot earn a living
OR
- closely match the Disability listing for schizophrenia or affective disorders in their Blue Book
Schizoaffective disorder does not have its own Blue Book listing, but the SSA will check your symptoms against the related disorders mentioned. Most patients with schizoaffective disorder can meet the requirements of at least one, but if your condition doesn’t have enough support through medical documents, you may still qualify for benefits through severe impairment.
What Do I Need to Get Disability for Schizoaffective Disorder – Social Security Benefits?
When applying for SSDI for schizoaffective disorder, having a psychiatrist is imperative. Your mental health professional is crucial in providing proof of your symptom severity, frequency, and duration.
You also need to know that the SSA denies 70 percent of all received applications. Even qualified applicants get denied due to errors in filling out their paperwork or not having the proper medical documents. You can appeal the decision, but they deny 70 percent of those too.
Can a Disability Attorney for Schizoaffective Disorder Help Me With My Claim?
Having a Disability attorney for schizoaffective disorder on your side can make a huge difference in the application process. We walk you through the paperwork so everything is correct and work as a liaison between your doctors and the SSA to make sure they find and review all of your pertinent medical records. If you must appeal a denial, we’ll help you prepare for the types of questions you might face at your appeal hearing to give you the best chance of approval.
If you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits, or want to apply for benefits because a severe mental health condition prevents you from working, contact Disability Help Group in Arizona. Our lawyers have experience helping clients win Disability claims for schizoaffective disorder. You can reach us at our Phoenix, Mesa, or Tucson office today by calling (888) 939-4692.