Application Denied You Must Act Now
For decades Edgar Snyder & Associates has helped thousands of people just like you get the SSD benefits they need to pay their bills and focus on their health.
If the SSA denied your application, or you want help applying, contact our law firm today. We win the majority of claims we appeal for our clients.
We can guide you through the complex Social Security disability system and give you peace of mind in the process. By choosing our experienced attorneys, you will know that you have done everything possible to be approved for SSD benefits.
Remember, if your application was denied, you have only 60 days to file an appeal.
Best of all, if we don’t win your appeal, you won’t owe us a penny. There really is “never a fee unless we get money for you.”
Social Security Disability Eligibility For Epilepsy Patients
The Social Security Administration has a specific set of criteria it uses to determine whether a person is eligible for SSD benefits. To be considered “disabled,” your medical condition must:
- Prevent you from working full-time
- Have lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year
- Be life-threatening
There are over 40 different types of epilepsy, each with its own triggers and medical complications. While each case is evaluated individually, the Social Security Administration looks for people with epilepsy who:
- Have epileptic episodes within a certain period of time
- Continue to have episodes even though they take their medication correctly and see a specialist regularly
Please note the Social Security Administration will review your medical records to determine the severity of your epilepsy and if it qualifies you for SSD benefits. If you haven’t worked long enough, or recently enough, to have paid enough into the Social Security system, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits instead.
Can I Get Social Security Disability Ssdi Ssi For Epilepsy
Claims based on Epilepsy need to be credible and supported with strong medical evidence
Does Social Security consider Epilepsy to be disabling?
How exactly does Social Security evaluate a disability claim based on Epilepsy?
Step 1: Non-Medical CriteriaStep 2: Severe ImpairmentStep 3: Medical ListingsStep 4: Past WorkStep 5: Other Work
Wondering If You Qualify?
Find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in just seconds with our free evaluation.
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The Ssa Evaluation And Medical Qualifications
The SSA uses a medical guide called the Blue Book to determine whether or not an individual is disabled. There is no specific listing for seizure disorders for adults in the medical guide, but the disability evaluation process focuses on any effects or limitations you experience from your seizure disorder. You will have to provide the SSA with the evidence they need to show that your seizure disorder negatively affects you and how it has limited your activities.
There are two different epilepsy impairment listings in the Blue Book for seizure disorders. These include listing 11.02, which is for convulsive epilepsy, and Listing 11.03, which is for non-convulsive epilepsy. Each listing has different qualification requirements that apply to that particular condition.
To qualify for SSDI under 11.02 you will have to show you suffer:
- At least one seizure each month after having taken medication for three months
- Your seizures occur during the day and either involve loss of consciousness or convulsions OR occur at night causing symptoms that impact your daytime activities.
Listing 11.03 requires you prove:
- You have at least one seizure each week in spite of having undergone taking three months of prescription medications
- Your seizures either interfere with your daily activities or they cause you have post-seizure behavior that is abnormal.
How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits For Seizures
To apply for Disability benefits, you must answer questions about all the ways epilepsy affects your daily routine. The SSA only approves those it considers totally disabled, so you should document recurring debilitating symptoms and gather medical records as evidence.
You can fill out the paperwork on your own, but the process may be overwhelming. If you think you may qualify for Disability payments, speaking to one of our Social Security attorneys at the Disability Help Group in Arizona could be beneficial. We assist clients with filling out the SSDI application to give you the best chance at SSA approval.
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What Should I Do If I Want To Get Disability For My Seizures
Successfully obtaining Social Security disability benefits as a result of epilepsy or another seizure disorder is a difficult and involving process that contains many different factors and considerations. In order to optimize your chances of obtaining benefits if you do suffer from seizures, it is important to retain an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer who understands the Social Security disability system and seizure disorder. Our office will do everything in our power to aid you in the process of obtaining Social Security disability benefits. Contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation.
How To Apply For Disability Benefits For Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the U.S. People of all ages can be affected by epilepsy, which can cause unpredictable seizures as well as other health problems. While it is definitely possible to live a normal life with this disorder, others have more severe and continuous symptoms that make working and living difficult.
Fortunately, for those in this position, disability benefits may be able to help. Social Security disability benefits are funded by the government and are designed to help people in need. Continue below to see how your epilepsy may qualify.
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Contacting A Social Security Attorney
Applying for disability can sometimes be overwhelming. If you feel that you may qualify for disability benefits, consider consulting a disability advocate or attorney. They can help with filling out applications, keeping paperwork organized, and aiding you in the appeals process if necessary. It is also required by law that disability attorneys will not receive payment unless you win your case.
To give yourself the best chance at receiving benefits for your epilepsy, consider speaking with a disability attorney today.
Help From Social Services
Depending on what your epilepsy is like, you may be entitled to have a social care needs assessment. An assessment normally takes place in your home and looks at whether you have any physical or health difficulties, social or housing needs, and what support you already receive, for example from family or friends. If the assessment identifies that you have needs which meet the local authoritys criteria, then they have a duty to arrange relevant community care services for you. These services may include meals, home help, adaptations to the home such as installing a shower or personal alarm, and access to leisure activities. You may need to pay some of the costs.
Contact your local social services department to ask for a ‘needs assessment’.
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Proof Of Epilepsy Diagnosis
Your long term disability insurance company will require proof of your epilepsy diagnosis for your long term disability claim.
Testing used to diagnose epilepsy and determine the cause of seizures may include:
- A Neurological Exam. Your doctor may test your behavior, motor abilities, mental function, and other areas to diagnose your condition and determine the type of Epilepsy you may have.
- Blood Tests. Your doctor may take a blood sample to check for signs of infections, genetic conditions, or other conditions that may be associated with seizures.
- Electroencephalogram . This is the most common test used to diagnose Epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrodes to you scalp to record the electrical activity of your brain. If you have Epilepsy, its common to have changes in your normal pattern of brain waves, even when youre not having a seizure. Your doctor may monitor you on video while conducting an EEG while you’re awake or asleep to record any seizures you experience.
Applying For Disability Benefits For Epilepsy
To set up an appointment to submit an application for SSI or SSDI through your local SSA office, call the SSA at 800-772-1213. After you submit all the necessary medical and financial information to the SSA, a claims examiner will request your medical records, review them with a medical consultant, and make a decision on whether to approve disability benefits for your epilepsy. It will likely take three to six months for the SSA to determine whether you are eligible for disability benefits.
If you need to apply for SSI for a child with epilepsy, the rules are different see our article on how children with epilepsy can qualify for SSI.
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Medical Evidence Required By The Ssa
After you file an application for Social Security disability, your claims examiner will request your medical records from your treating doctor. Your records need to include:
- diagnosis of epilepsy
- results of a neurological examination
- detailed doctor’s description of the typical seizure you experience, including whether you experience loss of consciousness, convulsions, or loss of bowel or bladder control
- description of all pre- and post-seizure phenomena, such as aura, fatigue, confusion, headache, or nausea
- frequency of seizures, and whether they occur during the day or night
- a statement regarding whether you cooperate with your prescribed anticonvulsant treatment
- objective evidence regarding whether you cooperate with anticonvulsant treatment
- your response to anticonvulsant treatment or surgery
- results of an EEG, and
- documentation of any injuries caused during epileptic seizures, including tongue biting.
If you have not been taking the medication your doctor has prescribed for you, your medical record should state why for instance, because you can’t afford the medication. If you can’t afford the medicine, the SSA will not deny you benefits for failing to follow the prescribed treatment, unless the SSA finds a free source of medication for you.
If You Have Severe And Frequent Epileptic Seizures That Interfere With Your Daytime Activities You May Be Able To Get Disability Benefits
By Alison Barjaktarovich, Contributing Author
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures. It can be the result of a condition such as cerebral palsy or strokes, but there is often no known cause. The symptoms of a seizure can range from simple staring spells to convulsions and loss of consciousness. The seizures can also vary in frequency, although in order to be diagnosed with epilepsy you must have had two unprovoked seizures.
Epilepsy is primarily treated with medications, which are successful in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in more than half of epilepsy patients. However, even mild seizures can be dangerous if they happen at certain times, such as when you’re driving or swimming, and could limit your ability to perform some work activities.
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Qualifying Under Blue Book Listing
The SSA has a list of specific requirements that you need to meet to get disability benefits for epilepsy. These are based on listing 11.02 for Convulsive and Nonconvulsive Epilepsy in the Blue Book. Youll need to qualify based on information about the frequency and type of seizures you suffer from.
Remember that there are also disability guidelines for children who have epilepsy, but these are a bit different.
Convulsive Seizures
Individuals who experience convulsive seizures will be required to show evidence of seizures that occur at least once every two months for four months or longer while taking medication. Limitations in one of the following are also required:
- Adapting or managing oneself
- Persisting, maintaining pace, or concentrating
Qualifying Under Medical-Vocational Guidelines
Even people who do not meet all the listings above may still qualify for benefits. This is the case if your epilepsy symptoms lead to interference in your activities to the point where you cannot consistently and safely perform work tasks. To determine whether this is the case, the claims examiner assigned to your case will analyze your symptoms and condition, as well as other factors. These include:
- Age
- Other psychiatric and medical conditions that affect the ability to work
- Transferable work skills
- Special doctors restrictions such as not being able to work around machinery or being unable to drive a vehicle.
How Do I Claim Dla
Download the claim form from the gov.uk website or call 0800 121 4600.
In Northern Ireland you can download a claim form, or contact the Disability and Carers Service or your local Jobs and Benefits office.
Cerebra is a charity for children with neurological problems, including epilepsy. They have a free step-by-step guide to filling in the DLA claim form. The guide also has information on what to do if you are unhappy with a DLA decision. You can download it from the Cerebra website, or request a copy by calling 0800 328 1159, or emailing
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When Can I Get Disability Benefits For Epilepsy
Adults who suffer from some form of epilepsy may be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income . The disability benefits that you apply for will be based on whether or not youve ever worked and paid into the Social Security system.
In Social Securitys disability listingcommonly called the Blue Bookthere are two different epilepsy conditions that can be eligible for benefits.
The first qualifying type of disability is tonic-clonic seizures. If you experience tonic-clonic seizure, you will need to suffer a seizure at least one time every four months and the seizure must affect either your motor functioning, your cognitive abilities or your ability to interact with other people.
The other qualifying seizure condition is known as dyscognitive seizures. With dyscognitive seizures, you will need to suffer an episode at least once every other week for a period that must be at least three months. To qualify for benefits, your dyscognitive seizures need to negatively affect your ability to understand and communicate, your emotional control, your concentration and your ability to perform physical activities.
Can I Get Disability Or Ssi Benefits For My Seizures
If you suffer from epilepsy or some other seizure disorder and have uncontrolled seizures, you may be wondering if it is possible to obtain Social Security disability benefits. The answer to this question is yes, it is possible to obtain Social Security disability benefits as a result of your seizures. There are several conditions that must be met before a successful claim for disability benefits because of seizures can be made.
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When And How To Apply
If you do believe that your child fits the criteria for the Disability Tax Credit, then you could be eligible to receive up to $2,395 per year, or $199.58 per month. The first step towards finding out for sure, however, is to send an application to the Canada Revenue Agency . Read our T2201 Disability Tax Credit Guide to find out more information.You will be responsible for filling out the Disability Tax Credit form, which includes information on your child as well as information about yourself or the person who plans to claim the tax credit . Once that is complete, you must have an appropriate medical practitioner certify the disability of the child in mention.In order to be eligible, the doctor must agree that the condition is severe and prolonged, and impairs the childs ability to perform daily functions.Once the doctors assessment has been made, the form can be submitted to the CRA either with your yearly tax documents, or earlier in the year. Because it can sometimes be a complicated process, it is recommended that you submit the forms ahead of time to ensure that you get your tax credit on time.Once accepted for the DTC, you can claim up to 10 previous years of tax credits if you have not done so already. Simply send a letter to the CRA and they can calculate your owed credits and send you a refund cheque. This process can often take up to 6 months, but is worth it in the end. To find out more, read our disability tax calculator guide.
Uncontrolled Epilepsy May Qualify For Social Security Disability
If you cannot work due to frequent seizures, you may be able to get Social Security disability. However, you will have to prove to the Social Security Administration that your condition prevents you from earning a living.
On your disability application, you should provide the following medical evidence:
- Overview of condition. You should describe the daily complications of your illness, as well as the type, frequency, and duration of your seizures.
- Seizure summary. The SSA will need a detailed description of a typical seizure. You should note any effects that precede the episode, including presence or absence of aura, and your injuries and experiences afterwards, including tongue bites, loss of bodily control, and head or neck injuries. It will also help your claim to provide a third partys description of what happens to you during one of your seizures.
- Physician observations. In addition to a detailed diagnosis, your physician should provide his own observations and prognosis of your condition. Your doctors opinion should be consistent with your own description of symptoms and complications.
- Treatment response. You should list the medications you are taking to control your seizures, as well as how well you are responding to treatment, and any side effects you experience. Blood test results may be useful in proving that you are following the prescribed dosage of anti-epileptic medication. Non-compliance with treatment is the number one reason for denial of claims.
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