Q: My son is paranoid schizophrenic and was denied SSI Disability due to no prior work history.
My son is paranoid schizophrenic and unable to work. He was denied SSI Disabilty due to no history of employment. He has worked a few jobs but has not been able to hold on to them for more than a month or less. Does he have a case for a lawyer?
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A:
Your son may have a strong case for appealing the SSI denial, even without extensive work history. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is specifically designed for people with disabilities who have limited or no work history, unlike regular Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
The key factor for SSI approval is documenting that your son's schizophrenia prevents him from maintaining substantial gainful employment. His pattern of being unable to keep jobs due to his condition actually helps demonstrate this limitation. Medical records, treatment history, and documentation from mental health providers will be crucial evidence.
Many disability lawyers take cases on contingency, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. You should consider reaching out to several disability attorneys for free consultations - they can evaluate your son's specific situation and help gather the necessary medical evidence to support his appeal. Given the complexity of mental health disability cases, having professional legal representation often increases the chances of approval significantly.
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