Listing 12.03
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
This listing covers schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and similar psychotic conditions.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA looks for medical proof of psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or behavior), plus either serious limits in daily mental functioning (paragraph B) or a serious, persistent 2-year condition controlled only by ongoing treatment or support (paragraph C). You must satisfy A and B, or A and C.
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What Listing 12.03 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 3 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
Your medical records must document at least one psychotic symptom: false beliefs (delusions), seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), speech that shows disorganized thinking, or severely disorganized behavior or catatonia.
(Listing 12.03, criterion A)
- Your condition must cause an 'extreme' limit in one, or a 'marked' (serious) limit in two, of these areas: understanding and using information, getting along with others, staying focused and keeping pace, or managing yourself.
- You need B or C, not both.
Read the original wording
Your condition must cause an 'extreme' limit in one, or a 'marked' (serious) limit in two, of these areas: understanding and using information, getting along with others, staying focused and keeping pace, or managing yourself. You need B or C, not both.
(Listing 12.03, criterion B)
Alternative to B: at least 2 years of documented history of the disorder, ongoing treatment or structured support that keeps symptoms down, and evidence that you can barely cope with changes or new demands even with that support.
(Listing 12.03, criterion C)
How long it must last:
- Paragraph C requires a medically documented history of the disorder over at least 2 years.
- Otherwise, the general rule applies: the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months.
Read the original wording
Paragraph C requires a medically documented history of the disorder over at least 2 years. Otherwise, the general rule applies: the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months.