Is Epilepsy a Disability Under Social Security Rules?

CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

Claiming Social Security Disability for Epilepsy in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore

Social Security includes epilepsy in its list of impairments that can qualify for disability benefits. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to win benefits.

You have to do more than show you suffer from seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion and other symptoms. You need to show that your epilepsy is severe enough to stop you from working.

Our Alexandria disability advocates can help you get the financial relief you need. We’ve been assisting people with their disability claims for more than 30 years.

Mathis & Mathis Disability Advocates isn’t like some big firm that tells you to apply for benefits on your own and come back if you get denied Social Security Disability.

Mathis & Mathis will support you every step of the way and give your claim the personal attention and care that it deserves.

This process is difficult. You’re worried about your health and finances. You need someone on your side who knows this system well.

So don’t go through this alone. Let us help you with your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim.

Social Security Disability Is All We Do.

Call Us Today! » Call Us Today! »

When Does Epilepsy Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security has a specific way of evaluating epilepsy disability claims and determining whether someone’s medical issues are serious enough to qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.

A claims examiner from the Social Security Administration (SSA) wants to see one of four things when you apply for disability with epilepsy:

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once per month for at least three consecutive months despite treatment

Dyscognitive seizures occurring at least once per week for at least three consecutive months despite treatment

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once every two months for at least four consecutive months despite treatment, and a noticeable limitation in one of the following:

Physical functioning

Interacting with others

Concentrating on tasks, persisting in tasks and maintaining pace

Understanding, remembering and applying information

Adapting to your surroundings and managing your emotions

Dyscognitive seizures occurring at least once every two weeks for at least three consecutive months despite treatment, and a pronounced limitation in one of the same areas of functioning.

You need to show that your symptoms are severe enough to meet Social Security’s general definition of disability, which is that epilepsy stops you from working and won’t allow you to work for at least 12 months.

Convincing Social Security that your health issues are this serious isn’t easy, but our experienced disability advocates can help.

Ask to schedule a FREE case evaluation.

What You Need for an Epilepsy Disability Claim

You need medical evidence to back up your epilepsy SSDI claim.

This includes:

Information about your diagnosis, including the results of MRI and EEG testing

A list of prescription medications you use and their dosages

The results of bloodwork and other tests showing that you’ve been treating your epilepsy

Records of any time you needed to visit a doctor or hospital after a seizure

Information about any treatments you’ve tried and their effects

An assessment of your everyday functioning from your doctor

Evidence of disruption to your work, like missed days or the need for extra accommodations at work

Statements from friends, family members, and coworkers who have witnessed your health struggles

It also helps to document other ailments you suffer from that are related to your epilepsy.

Mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, can be compounded by your epilepsy symptoms, and the combination of these impairments can make it impossible to work—qualifying you for disability benefits even if you can’t qualify with epilepsy alone.

Psychological evaluations, information about your treatments, and any other medical evidence of these kinds of mental health issues can help you make your epilepsy disability claim stronger.

Our Northern Virginia disability advocates can help you build your case.

How a Virginia, Baltimore and D.C. Disability Advocate Can Help

Even if you think you should obviously qualify for Social Security Disability, it’s not going to be easy to get your disability claim approved.

An experienced D.C. and Baltimore disability advocate can guide you through this process and give you the best chance to convince the SSA that you deserve benefits.

Your advocate can:

Help you fill out SSA forms

Take the time to listen to you and really understand your story

Identify important evidence that can strengthen your claim

Keep you aware of important deadlines

Help you file your initial application

Support your appeal if your initial application for benefits gets denied

Represent you at a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge

Follow up to make sure you’re receiving your benefits after your disability claim gets approved

Answer any questions that you have about this process

There’s little financial risk to working with us because you don’t pay an advocate’s fee until you win benefits.

This process can be tough. You don’t want to leave your epilepsy disability claim to chance.

The team at Mathis & Mathis has helped thousands of people in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Northern Virginia and along the East Coast win Social Security Disability benefits and get back on the path to financial stability.

Our disability advocates are ready to help you.

Contact Us Today.

Applying or Appealing, We Can Help

Whether you’re in the initial stages of applying, appealing a denial of benefits, or wondering if you qualify, Mathis & Mathis can help.

Hear from a Mathis & Mathis Client

“I could not recommend Mathis & Mathis highly enough. They were kind, patient and thorough. No question was too small. They were timely in responding to me. While the process of applying for and obtaining disability is a long, tough road, Mr. Mathis made everything so much better. If you are thinking about applying, please do and know you will be taken very good care of . . . just like family.”

— Tracey Jones, Google Reviews