Can I qualify for disability based on having epilepsy?
Can You Qualify for Disability Benefits Because of Epilepsy? Adults with epilepsy may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates epilepsy according to the type, frequency, duration, and nature of the seizures.
How to apply for disability benefits with epilepsy?
- physical functioning, such as standing, balancing, or using your arms and hands
- understanding, remembering, or using information in work activities
- interacting with others
- concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace, or
- controlling emotions and behavior and maintaining well-being in a workplace setting,
Would epilepsy be considered a disability?
Epilepsy is one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, which means that if you meet the requirements in the Blue Book listing for epilepsy you may be able to get disability benefits. The listing for epilepsy is very technical and there are separate requirements for convulsive and non-convulsive epilepsy.
Can I receive disability benefits for my epilepsy?
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.
Is it hard to get disability for epilepsy?
As is the case with many disabling impairments, winning a claim for Social Security Benefits based on seizure disorder can be somewhat difficult. Social Security requires that you have frequent seizures that interfere with your activities and that are well documented.
What type of seizures qualify for disability?
If, despite following your doctor's recommended treatment, you've been experiencing seizures once a month (for tonic-clonic) or once a week (for dyscognitive) for three months in a row, you will meet the criteria for a medical disability under the listings, and Social Security will find you disabled.
Do epileptics qualify for disability?
Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.
What benefits can someone with epilepsy get?
You may be entitled to benefits, depending on how your epilepsy affects you. This might include Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance. You will need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for these benefits.
What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?
People with epilepsy are successfully employed in a variety of jobs that might be considered high-risk: police officer, firefighter, welder, butcher, construction worker, etc. Epilepsy is a highly variable disorder and it is difficult to generalize about safety issues.
Can you work with epilepsy?
Working with epilepsy If your epilepsy is well controlled, it may not have any effect on your work. Speak to your employer if your condition makes it difficult to do your job. They have to make reasonable adjustments to your work tasks to allow you to keep working.
Is epilepsy a physical or mental disability?
Epilepsy is not a mental illness. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.
How does epilepsy affect your ability to work?
If your epilepsy is controlled, it will not significantly affect your ability to perform physical work. However, it's obvious that you cannot perform any kind of physical work while having an epileptic seizure.
Does epilepsy get worse with age?
The incidence of any type of seizure increases substantially over the age of 60, commonly due to other neurological conditions such as dementia or stroke.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
The epilepsy may cause difficulties with being able to store memories. Research has shown that people with epilepsy are prone to forget things more quickly than others.
How many hours should a person with epilepsy sleep?
People with epilepsy should get adequate sleep - enough to feel refreshed the next day. In general, adults should try for at least 7-8 hours a night. Going to bed late (for example, 3 a.m. instead of 11 p.m.) can be compensated for by sleeping late (10 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.) and thereby avoiding sleep deprivation.
Can epilepsy make you tired all the time?
Epilepsy patients frequently complain of fatigue. Fatigue is the mental and/or physical experience of extreme and persistent tiredness, weakness, or exhaustion [1]. The complaint of fatigue is more common in epilepsy patients than in the general population according to a population-based study [2].
What is the term for a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures?
Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures. It is...
What is the term for a spectrum of disorders that alter normal brain activity, causing seizures?
Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of disorders that alter normal brain activity, causing seizures ....
What is my epilepsy team?
MyEpilepsyTeam is the social network for people with epilepsy and their loved ones. More than 91,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.
What are the activities that epilepsy impacts?
A description of how epilepsy impacts your ability to do activities like shopping, cooking, cleaning, and other tasks of daily living.
How long after you become disabled can you get Medicare?
If you are approved, you can receive benefits in the sixth month following your disability designation. You will then be eligible for Medicare 24 months after you became disabled.
What is the term for a person who has a convulsion?
People with epilepsy, a condition characterized by seizures (also known as convulsions), commonly...
How much do you have to earn to qualify for disability?
In determining your eligibility for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will evaluate the following criteria: You are likely ineligible for benefits if you earn $1,260 or more a month. If you earn less, you may still be eligible; the amount you receive may be reduced.
How to apply for disability benefits?
The best way to apply for Social Security disability benefits is to make an appointment at your local SSA office. Bring copies of all of your medical records and other documentation with you to the appointment. A staff member will help you fill out the application and submit your claim.
How many people have epilepsy?
According to the CDC more than 3 million adults have epilepsy. Epilepsy causes seizures that can make it difficult or impossible for someone to work full time. Seizures can sometimes be controlled with medication, but the cost of that medication can be very expensive.
How to contact Kathy Kraemer?
If you have more questions about qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits, contact our Social Services Coordinator Kathy Kraemer at (210) 653-5353 or email her at [email protected].
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
Seizures that cause you to experience pronounced issues after each seizure, which may include things like unusual behaviors, trouble thinking, a lack of energy, difficulty staying awake, or other post-seizure symptoms that interrupt daytime activities.
What are the complications of nighttime seizures?
Nighttime seizures that cause severe complications for you during the day, like problems staying awake, thinking clearly, or coordinating your physical movements.
Can you file for disability if you have epilepsy?
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy and you can’t work and you expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability benefits can provide money that you need to pay for things like housing, bills, food, and other expenses.
Can you get medical vocational allowance if you have epilepsy?
If you have epilepsy that makes it impossible for you to work but doesn’t meet the strict criteria listed in the Blue book you may be able to qualify for benefits under a Medical Vocational Allowance. To qualify you will need to demonstrate that your seizures or the aftermath of your seizures are so severe that they make it impossible to work with the skills that you have. When you fill out a claim for benefits you can ask for a Residual Functional Capacity Evaluation. This evaluation is done by the SSA to see if there’s any kind of work that you can reasonably be expected to do. If the SSA determines that there is no type of work that you can do because of epilepsy you can be approved for benefits even though you don’t meet the Blue Book listing requirements.
Is Epilepsy A Long Term Disability?
Whether your insurance company will consider your epilepsy a disability will depend on a few factors. They will want to understand the symptoms you experience due to your epilepsy, both physical and cognitive.
Proving Epilepsy As A Disability
To get approved for long term disability, your insurance company will require proof of your condition, symptoms, and impact on your job performance. This evidence can come in a few forms: proof of diagnosis; additional testing; proof of appropriate treatment; and personal documentation.
A Long Term Disability Attorney Can Help
For epilepsy disability claim, it is advised you consult with a disability attorney. An experienced long term disability insurance attorney can help. They will understand how best to substantiate your epilepsy claim with evidence your insurance company is looking for and significantly increase your chances of approval.
What is the primary factor in an RFC?
During your RFC examination, the primary factor that will be determined is to what degree your epilepsy interferes with your day to day life. For example, if your seizures are frequent and severe enough to prevent you from meaningful work, your RFC will determine if there’s some other sort of work you could do or whether your epilepsy precludes any work.
What is the most common form of epilepsy?
The most common forms of epilepsy include tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, partial or focal seizures, complex-partial seizures and absence seizures. Identifying the specific type of epilepsy that you suffer from will be your first step in apply for your needed disability benefits.
How to win disability for epilepsy?
One of the keys to winning your disability benefits for epilepsy will be to provide an ample amount of medical evidence and to have a residual functional capacity (RFC) that is low enough to prevent you from working.
What do you need to prove your disability?
To prove your case, you’ll need a confirmed epilepsy diagnosis, neurological test results, an in-depth description from your doctor about your diagnosis and symptoms, and evidence that you cooperate with anti-seizure treatments.
What is the blue book on Social Security?
In Social Security’s disability listing—commonly called the Blue Book—there are two different epilepsy conditions that can be eligible for benefits.
How to contact Bill LaTour?
Call Dr. Bill LaTour and his team today at 800-803-5090 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
Can epilepsy cause staring spells?
For example, some people who suffer epilepsy will experience convulsions, while others may experience staring spells or reductions in their awareness.
How does Social Security evaluate disability claims based on epilepsy?
How exactly does Social Security evaluate a disability claim based on Epilepsy? Social Security employs a 5-step sequential evaluation process to determine if you qualify for disability benefits under the SSDI and/or SSI programs. At each phase of a disability claim, there is an adjudicator, or decision-maker.
What is the medical term for seizures?
Epilepsy is a medical condition that causes recurring seizures. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which means if affects the brain. Epileptic seizures are caused by problems with electrical and chemical activity in the brain. The causes of most epileptic seizures are not known but most people develop epilepsy as a result of brain injury, ...
Why do people have seizures?
The causes of most epileptic seizures are not known but most people develop epilepsy as a result of brain injury, stroke or drug and alcohol abuse. Epilepsy is controllable with medication in 70% of cases, however if you are unresponsive to medications, this condition and its symptoms can make day-to-day activities virtually impossible.
What is CE in DDS?
The adjudicator may also schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with a doctor who is contracted by DDS to perform medical evaluations on their behalf. Once all evidence has been assembled, the adjudicator reviews the information and decides whether or not your symptoms are severe.
How long is past relevant work?
In general, if there is a job that you performed within 15 years of your AOD in which you worked close to full-time for a period of at least a few months, that job will likely be considered Past Relevant Work. After finalizing your list of Past Relevant Work, the adjudicator must now classify it.
What is the decision maker in Social Security hearings?
At the Hearing phase, the decision-maker is the Administrative Law Judge who often consults with a Medical Expert (ME). The following evaluation is employed by the adjudicator at each phase. Step 1: Non-Medical Criteria. First and foremost, you cannot be working above what Social Security calls a Substantial, Gainful Activity (SGA) level.
What are the limitations of RFC?
Your RFC might contain some of the following limitations: avoiding hazard machinery, difficulty balancing, extreme medication side effects, inability to climb ropes or ladders, inability to maintain concentration, persistence or pace, etc.
What is disabled person railcard?
Disabled Persons Railcard. You may be entitled to a Disabled Persons Railcard to get one third off rail fares in England, Scotland and Wales. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) A benefit for people who have an illness or disability that makes it difficult or impossible for them to work. Free bus pass.
What is caregiver allowance?
Allows disabled people to park close to their destination. If you look after someone with epilepsy who has substantial care needs , you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. A benefit to help with the extra costs of looking after a child who has a disability or health condition.
What is access to work grant?
If your epilepsy affects your ability to do your job or means you have to pay work-related costs, Access to Work grants can help pay for practical support. A benefit to help with personal care if you have a disability and have reached state pension age. Allows disabled people to park close to their destination.
What is the purpose of PIP?
PIP has replaced DLA and its purpose is to help with some of the extra costs of having a long-term ill-health problem or disability. If someone qualifies for PIP it is non means tested and can be used as an individual wishes. You do not have to say how you will use the money when you apply for PIP.
What is PIP in health care?
Personal Independence Payment ( PIP) A benefit to help with some of the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. Universal Credit. A benefit to help with living costs if you're on a low income, you can't work or you're out of work.
What is the eligibility for PIP?
To qualify for PIP you must have a long-term health condition or disability, and have difficulty with activities of daily living or with mobility. How much you get and whether you are granted the PIP is based on how your condition affects your ability to complete certain tasks, not on having a particular condition.
Can you get a free bus pass if you have epilepsy?
Free bus pass. If you would be refused a driving licence because of your epilepsy, you may be entitled to free or reduced price bus travel. Free prescriptions. If you have epilepsy and take epilepsy medicines, you are entitled to free prescriptions in the UK.
