Your rights at work
Schizophrenia usually counts as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer must consider reasonable adjustments, such as:
- flexible hours, especially if medicine makes mornings hard
- time off for appointments
- a quieter workspace
- a phased return after time off
- a named person to talk to if you are struggling
Access to Work offers a free Mental Health Support Service, and many mental health teams offer employment support.
Driving
You usually need to tell the DVLA if you have schizophrenia. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Benefits
PIP is based on how schizophrenia affects you on most days. It can affect many activities, for example:
- preparing food, washing and dressing: needing prompting because of low motivation
- managing treatment: needing reminders or supervision to take medicine
- managing money: needing help with budgeting
- mixing with other people: needing support, or feeling overwhelming distress
- planning and following journeys: needing someone with you
Evidence from your mental health team, and from family or carers, can help.
PIP points self-check
Go through the 12 PIP activities one at a time and see roughly how many points may apply to you.
About 10 minutes. Your answers never leave your device.
If you cannot work because of your health, you may be able to get Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance. If someone helps you manage your money or benefits, they may be able to become your appointee with the DWP.
Sources we used
- GOV.UK, Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
- GOV.UK, Access to Work
- GOV.UK, Schizophrenia and driving
- GOV.UK, Personal Independence Payment
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.