Listing code
112.03
Children (Part B)
Body system
112.00
Mental disorders (children)
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (see 112.00B2 ), for children age 3 to attainment of age 18, satisfied by A and B, or A and C: Medical documentation of one or more of the following: Delusions or hallucinations; Disorganized thinking (speech); or Grossly disorganized behavior or catatonia. AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 112.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 112.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 112.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 112.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 112.00E4 ). OR Your mental disorder in this listing category is "serious and persistent;" that is, you have a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over a period of at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both: Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support(s), or a highly structured setting(s) that is ongoing and that diminishes the symptoms and signs of your mental disorder (see 112.00G2b ); and Marginal adjustment, that is, you have minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demands that are not already part of your daily life (see 112.00G2c ).
This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 112.03. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 112.03 usually fail
Many denials happen when the medical documentation shows a diagnosis but does not clearly document one or more of the listed psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations, disorganized thinking, or grossly disorganized behavior or catatonia). Another failure mode is missing the functional threshold: SSA requires extreme limitation of one area of mental functioning, or marked limitation of two areas (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself). Some claims also miss because they do not fit the alternative 'serious and persistent' pathway that requires a medically documented 2-year history plus both ongoing supports/treatment and evidence of marginal adjustment. Finally, confusion can come from age: this listing applies from age 3 to attainment of age 18.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical records should document one or more of the specific psychotic symptom types: delusions or hallucinations, disorganized thinking (speech), or grossly disorganized behavior or catatonia. Records also need to support the functional impact using the required mental functioning areas: understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself. For the 'serious and persistent' option, documentation needs a medically documented history of the disorder lasting at least 2 years, plus evidence of both ongoing mental health treatment/therapy/psychosocial supports or a highly structured setting that diminishes symptoms, and 'marginal adjustment' meaning minimal capacity to adapt to changes in the environment or demands not already part of daily life.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the record does not satisfy 112.03, the claim is still evaluated for whether the child can function at a level that allows age-appropriate activities despite the mental disorder. SSA uses the functional areas named in the listing (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself) to judge the level of limitation. This matters because even if a diagnosis exists, the listing requires either extreme limitation of one area or marked limitation of two, or the separate 'serious and persistent' pattern with the 2-year history plus the specific ongoing-support and marginal-adjustment requirements.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
This listing is part of the children (Part B) disability process. The criteria here focus on documented psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations; disorganized thinking/speech; grossly disorganized behavior or catatonia) plus extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two mental functioning areas, or the alternative serious and persistent pattern. SGA work activity is not a part of this children listing framework as described in the criteria provided for 112.03.
Listing 112.03 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders disability claims.