Epilepsy is a neurological condition where disrupted chemical and electrical activity in the brain causes recurring seizures. In most cases, the cause of epileptic seizures is unknown, but epilepsy usually develops after a stroke, brain injury, or abuse of drugs or alcohol. 70 percent of epilepsy patients can control their symptoms with medication. If, however, you are unresponsive to treatment, the condition can make everyday activities nearly impossible.
Social Security Disability and Seizures: Am I Eligible for Help?
If you suffer from severe epileptic seizures, you know firsthand how this condition impacts every aspect of your life, including your finances. If you’re unable to work, piling medical bills might seem like too much to handle as you adjust to your “new normal.”
Social Security awards Disability payments to eligible Americans. Unfortunately, they only approve about one-quarter of the applications they receive. If they deny your claim, you only have a 60-day window to appeal. Disability advocates at a law firm like the Disability Help Group in Arizona help applicants improve their chances of winning an appeal.
I Have Epilepsy; Can I Get Social Security Disability Payments?
The quick answer is, “possibly.” Qualifying for SSDI payments for epilepsy depends on a variety of factors. No two cases are alike, but Social Security generally looks at symptom severity, documented medical evidence, education level, age, and vocational field. Approval can be difficult without frequent, well-documented epileptic seizures.
What Are the Minimum Requirements to Receive Disability Benefits for Epilepsy?
To have a chance of approval, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires an applicant’s medical condition:
- Prevent you from working full-time
- Be expected to continue, or have lasted, for at least one year
- Be life-threatening or severely disrupt your ability to function in your daily life
You must have also paid into social security taxes while working for at least five or the past 10 years. The SSA only approves epilepsy applicants who see a specialist regularly and continue to have seizures despite reliably taking medication.
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.
What If I Was Already Denied SSDI for Epilepsy?
The Disability Help Group in Arizona is here for you every step of the way. We can help you gather evidence to back up your claim and appeal your denial within the proper time frame. By law, our service is free unless you win your case.
Give yourself the best chance of benefits approval by speaking to a Disability lawyer in our Phoenix, Mesa, or Tucson, AZ office today. You can reach us at (888) 939-4692 or simply submit our online form.