Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Epilepsy or Seizures

I often get calls about qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI due to epileptic seizures.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) has stringent rules for those seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI based only on epilepsy at the listing level of the sequential process.  The regulations require:

11.02 Epilepsy – convulsive epilepsy, (grand mal or psychomotor), documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once a month in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment.

A. Daytime episodes (loss of consciousness and convulsive seizures) or

B. Nocturnal episodes manifesting residuals which interfere significantly with activity during the day.

11.03 Epilepsy – non-convulsive epilepsy (petit mal, psychomotor, or focal), documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once weekly in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. With alteration of awareness or loss of consciousness and transient postictal manifestations of unconventional behavior or significant interference with activity during the day.

Most often a person seeking benefits does not qualify for benefits based only on the listing.  However, the person can qualify if the combined effects of the seizure disorder and any other conditions prevent work at past employment or other jobs that exist in the local or national economy.

If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI matter, personal injury matter (car wreck, boating accident, slip and fall, etc.), EEOICPA claim, long or short-term disability, VA disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611, or through our website.