Living with epilepsy poses unique challenges, especially when it hinders the ability to maintain employment. Social Security Disability benefits can provide crucial financial support for individuals grappling with the impact of epilepsy on their daily lives.

Proving Your Claim:

To be considered for Social Security Disability benefits due to epilepsy, you must present medical documentation demonstrating that your epilepsy prevents you from working at a gainful employment level. Additionally, you need to have accumulated enough work credits through your employment history. Relevant medical conditions would include timing and frequency of seizures; post-seizure Issues, such as impaired thinking, fatigue, or disruptions to daily activities; and continued seizures despite medication.

Understanding Epilepsy Under SSA Listing 11.02:

The Social Security Administrations Blue Book serves as a comprehensive guide that outlines the conditions that qualify automatically for Social Security Disability benefits. As characterized in the Blue Book, epilepsy is a pattern of recurrent and unprovoked seizures that are manifestations of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There are various types of generalized and “focal” or partial seizures. The most common potentially disabling seizure types are generalized tonic-clonic seizures and dyscognitive seizures. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are characterized by loss of consciousness accompanied by a tonic phase. Dyscognitive seizures are characterized by alteration of consciousness without convulsions or loss of muscle control. To meet the automatic qualification criteria for this listing, you must demonstrate:

A diagnosis of epilepsy, as documented by a detailed description of a typical seizure and characterized by A, B, C, or D below:

A. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once a month for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment.

OR

B. Dyscognitive seizures, occurring at least once a week for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment.

OR

C. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures, occurring at least once every 2 months for at least 4 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment; and a marked limitation in one of:
-Physical functioning;
-Understanding, remembering, or applying information;
-Interacting with others;
-Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
-Adapting or managing oneself

OR

D. Dyscognitive seizures occurring at least once every 2 weeks for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment ; and a marked limitation in one of the following:
-Physical functioning;
-Understanding, remembering, or applying information;
-Interacting with others;
-Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
-Adapting or managing oneself.

Successfully navigating the Social Security disability benefits process for epilepsy requires a nuanced understanding of the specific criteria outlined in Listing 11.02 and alternative argument for qualification. By providing detailed documentation and adhering to the prescribed treatment, individuals with epilepsy can enhance their chances of qualifying for benefits. Please contact my office directly should you wish assistance with you claim.