what benefits can i claim if i have epilepsy

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.

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What are the benefits of epilepsy?

• The ability to lower or decrease the number of seizure medications a person has to take. ...
• A higher likelihood of returning to working and to driving.
• People are less likely to experience symptoms related to anxiety and depression following a positive surgical result.

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Does epilepsy qualify for disability benefits?

If you have frequent and severe epileptic seizures that interfere with your activities of daily living and prevent you from maintaining employment, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The fourth most common neurological disorder, epilepsy can affect people of all ages.

Does epilepsy qualify for SSDI?

When Do Epileptic Adults Qualify for Social Security Disability Payments? Adults with epilepsy may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI, for those who paid taxes into the Social Security system) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI, for low-income people).

Is epilepsy a Social Security disability?

Social Security Disability and Epilepsy. If you are an adult who has epilepsy, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate your case based on the type, duration, frequency, and nature of the epilepsy. Since well-controlled epilepsy may not be disabling, it’s required to pro ve that your epilepsy has an impact on your daily ...

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.

Does epilepsy count as a 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.

Is it hard to get SSI 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.

Does epilepsy qualify for PIP?

Some people with epilepsy can claim health-related benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, and Employment Support Allowance.

What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?

If you have seizures, you may not be able to do jobs that risk your safety or the safety of other people....These include:jobs that involve driving.working at heights, near open water or fire.working with unguarded machinery.

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.

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.

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.

Is epilepsy a serious illness?

People with status epilepticus have an increased risk of permanent brain damage and death. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People with epilepsy also have a small risk of sudden unexpected death. The cause is unknown, but some research shows it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.

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.

Can someone with epilepsy claim PIP?

Whether someone with epilepsy can claim benefits will depend on their situation. Some benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are for people with a long-term disability or health condition, who need help or support with daily living, or with mobility, or both.

Can you apply for benefits if you have epilepsy?

Benefits and epilepsy. If you have epilepsy you may be eligible to apply for benefits. This depends on what your epilepsy is like and how it affects you. breadcrumb navigation:

Is epilepsy a special case?

Download our factsheet for some of the reasons why epilepsy is a 'special case' when it comes to benefits assessments and eligibility.

How long does epilepsy last?

“It has become increasingly difficult to explain to assessors that when a person has epilepsy they often have a condition that will render them incapacitated for several times a day and the effects of seizures can last days to weeks.

What happens if you are unsuccessful in claiming your PIP?

If you are unsuccessful in claiming after your first face-to-face assessment, you can appeal. The first stage of appealing PIP is a mandatory reconsideration.

Can you claim welfare if you have epilepsy?

If you have epilepsy, you may be entitled to a range of welfare benefits. What you can claim and how much you can receive will depend on your personal circumstances. You can use the Benefits Calculator to find out what you are entitled to.

What benefits can I claim if I have epilepsy?

Benefits . 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 kind of disability is epilepsy considered?

Most people with epilepsy do not have intellectual disabilities , but a substantial minority of people with intellectual disabilities have epilepsy . Epilepsy is known to be a potentially disabling, chronic and socially isolating condition.

Is epilepsy a disability under ADA?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 (which became effective January 1, 2009), all persons with epilepsy should be considered to have a disability covered under the ADA , and therefore will be protected from employment discrimination.

How much is a disability check for epilepsy?

Patients who have controlled seizure disorders can expect to spend about $2,000 per year while those with uncontrolled disorders can pay out as much as $10,000 annually.

What is the best medicine for epilepsy?

Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, including: Carbamazepine ( Carbatrol , Tegretol , others) Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) Valproic acid ( Depakene ) Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal) Lamotrigine ( Lamictal ) Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) Topiramate (Topamax) Phenobarbital.

Is epilepsy a permanent disability?

When an epileptic can continue to work, the costs he or she faces due to seizures are still staggering, but the costs of epilepsy are insurmountable for patients that are unable to work at all. Thankfully, individuals that have frequent seizures are often able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Does epilepsy worsen with age?

Factors affecting prognosis Age : Adults over the age of 60 may experience an increased risk for epileptic seizures , as well as related complications. Family history: Epilepsy is often genetic. If you have a family member who experienced epilepsy -related complications, then your own risk may be higher.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can epilepsy patients get Pfizer?

People with epilepsy may be eligible for additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19...

Do people with epilepsy need to apply for disability?

People with epilepsy face considerable paperwork when applying for disability benefits . The Social Security Administration offers a checklist of necessary application information. Below is a summary of what you’ll need to provide.

Is there a cure for epilepsy?

There is at present no cure for epilepsy, although some people with epilepsy do go into remission...

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 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.

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 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.

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.

What benefits can you get for epilepsy?

Tips for completing benefit forms. Some people with epilepsy can claim health-related benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, and Employment Support Allowance.

How to answer an epilepsy question?

If you need to use extra sheets of paper for your answers, put your name and reference number on each sheet and attach them firmly. Answer all questions fully and repeat information each time it is relevant. Don't assume that the person reading the form will remember how you have answered one question when reading the next. Imagine that a different person reads each answer on your form separately. Would they be able to understand each answer as it stands on its own?

Why do you keep a copy of your claim?

Keeping a copy of your form means you can refer to it at a later date, or use it to help you fill in other forms. This is particularly helpful when it comes to noting the dates of when things happened. It can also be helpful if you need to ask for your claim to be reconsidered or you need to appeal against a decision.

Do you have to write "because I have epilepsy"?

So when filling out the form, you need to focus on explaining how your condition affects you. For example, instead of writing ‘because I have epilepsy’ you could write ‘because my epilepsy affects me in the following ways…’

Can you call a helpline to fill out a benefit form?

You can also call our helpline. Although the helpline cannot fill in the forms for you, talking it through may help you to work out what you want to say on your forms.

Do you need someone to help you with a seizure?

You can write about how you need to have someone to help you even if you don't already have someone to help.

Can you use medical jargon when describing seizures?

Don't worry about using the correct ‘medical jargon’ when describing things - use whatever words you would normally use. If you know a medical name for the type of seizures you have, you can use it, but it is more important to describe what happens to you. This is because not everyone's seizures will be the same, and assessors reading your form may not know about seizure types.

Medically Qualifying for Disability Benefits Due to Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. This means that if you meet the requirements in the Blue Book listing for epilepsy you may be able to get social security disability benefits.

Medical Vocational Allowance

If you have epilepsy that makes it difficult for you to work but doesn’t quite meet the strict criteria listed in the Blue book you may be able to qualify for benefits under whats called a medical vocational allowance AKA GRID rules.

Applying for Social Security Benefits

The best way to apply for Social Security disability benefits is speak with an experienced attorney. it’s an absolutely free consultation. Bring copies of all of your medical records and other documentation with your appointment with the attorney. We can help get the process started for you.

How to contact Epilepsy Action?

But if you have any further problems, or need advice once you’ve received your letter, please feel free to contact the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050 .

How to show your epilepsy?

If the way your epilepsy affects you varies over time, you could send a diary to show the difficulties you have over a number of days or weeks. Make it clear if you are estimating. Also say how you are on your good days and your bad days. And give an idea of how often you have bad days and how the way in which you’re affected changes from day to day.

How many points do you need to score to get an enhanced rate?

You need to score at least 8 points to be entitled to the standard rate and at least 12 points to be entitled to the enhanced rate. This is the same for each component.

What does "reliably" mean in a question?

‘Reliably' here means safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time.

Can you talk about epilepsy in an interview?

The interview will be with a healthcare professional, but they might only have a basic understanding of epilepsy. Make sure you can explain clearly about your epilepsy and how it affects you. Don't just talk about your seizure frequency. They need to know about all possible impact on your life, including such things as anxiety and memory problems.

Does the DWP require you to send supporting evidence?

As well as completing the form, the DWP encourages you to send copies of any supporting evidence you have. Getting clear supporting evidence can make a real difference to how successful your claim is. This evidence could include: