If your loved one suffers from schizophrenia, he may be eligible for a claim for disability benefits. Remember however, that merely a diagnosis of schizophrenia may not be sufficient to claim benefits. For help, speak to a Los Angeles Social Security disability benefits lawyer.

You must meet all the conditions that the Social Security Administration has set for claims. That means that the schizophrenia must have lasted for at least 12 months, or must be expected to last for at least 12 months. You must also be able to prove that the condition effectively impairs your ability to perform functional work and earn a living.

This is where the challenge lies. It may be easy for you to prove that is your schizophrenia makes it difficult for you to function effectively, but it’s not as easy to prove that it impairs your ability to work to the extent that you cannot earn a living. That means that you must be able to show that your schizophrenia results in symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, social withdrawal, and illogical thinking.

However, although there are challenges associated with your claim, your claim is not hopeless. Even if you do not meet the criteria for benefits under the Social Security listing, you may be able to qualify by claiming that the condition affects your ability to hold down a job. For instance, your symptoms may not be so severe that they cause you to be completely out of tune with reality, but they may make it difficult for you to perform a job, and earn an income. Your schizophrenia may not cause you to suffer hallucinations every day, but it could make it challenging for you to interact with others, which could affect your ability to perform your job.

For help filing a claim for disability benefits for schizophrenia, talk to a Los Angeles Social Security disability benefits lawyer.