Getting SSDI for Epilepsy

SSDI for Epilepsy: What You Need to Know

Living with epilepsy can make everyday life unpredictable. For many people, it also makes it impossible to keep a steady job. If you have epilepsy that’s interfering with your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. But getting SSDI for epilepsy comes with its own challenges.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to strengthen your claim and get the help you need.

Here’s what you need to know about applying for SSDI with epilepsy, the challenges you might face, and how an SSDI lawyer can help you through the process.

How the SSA Looks at Epilepsy

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does recognize epilepsy as a disabling condition. It’s listed in their Blue Book under Neurological Disorders.

But just having a diagnosis isn’t enough. You have to show that your seizures are severe, ongoing, and that they limit your ability to work.

The SSA will look at:

• Type of seizures (generalized tonic-clonic vs. focal impaired-awareness seizures)
• Frequency of seizures, even with medication
• Severity of the episodes, including injuries or recovery time
• Impact on your work abilities – like memory problems, fatigue, or needing constant supervision

You need to show that your seizures happen despite following prescribed treatments and that they affect you often enough that you can’t maintain full-time employment.

What Medical Evidence You’ll Need

To build a strong SSDI claim for epilepsy, you’ll need to provide:

• Medical diagnosis from a neurologist or other specialist
• EEG results or imaging like MRIs
• Detailed seizure logs documenting how often seizures happen, how long they last, and how they affect you afterward
• Treatment history, including medications, dosages, and your doctor’s notes about how well (or poorly) you’ve responded
• Witness statements, if possible, from people who’ve observed your seizures

In addition, it can make a big difference to have evidence from your place of employment. This can include performance reviews, statements from coworkers and employers, or anything else to show how your condition impacts everyday tasks.

Challenges When Applying for SSDI with Epilepsy

Even with a diagnosis and medical evidence, epilepsy claims often get denied at first. In fact, the SSA denies the majority of all claims on the first try.

Common reasons include:

• Gaps in medical treatment or not seeing a specialist regularly.
• Missing documentation about how often your seizures happen.
• Evidence that your seizures can be controlled successfully with medication (even if side effects from the medication cause other problems).
• Lack of detailed functional evidence, like how seizures or medication side effects impact your ability to concentrate, move safely, or complete work tasks.

Epilepsy is an unpredictable condition, and the SSA often needs very specific, consistent documentation to approve a claim.

If you do get denied, you have 60 days to appeal your claim. While you can always use a lawyer to apply in the first place, you absolutely should get one for your appeal.

How an SSDI Lawyer Can Help

An experienced SSDI lawyer can make the process smoother and give you a much better chance of success. We can help by:

• Gathering the right medical records and seizure documentation
• Working with your doctors to prepare strong, detailed statements
• Filing appeals if your claim was denied
• Preparing you for your hearing, if needed, so you can explain your limitations clearly and honestly

We know what the SSA expects to see in epilepsy cases and how to frame your condition in a way that clearly shows you meet their standards for disability.

For the appeals process, our work is even more important. You need someone to figure out what went wrong on your first application. Otherwise, you’ll likely repeat mistakes or not know what other evidence to present.

And we represent you in the hearings, so you don’t have to face an administrative law judge and navigate the legal system alone.

Fortunately, SSDI lawyer fees are limited by law. We don’t receive any payment unless and until we win your case, and even then it’s only a small fraction of your past due benefits. You keep every penny moving forward.

Legal Help Getting SSDI for Epilepsy

As a Memphis SSDI lawyer, I know how hard it is to live with epilepsy and how exhausting it can be to fight for benefits while managing your health. My team is committed to helping you put together the strongest case possible and handling all the complicated paperwork and deadlines for you.

We come to your side, help strengthen your claim, and fight for you every step of the way.

If you’re living with epilepsy and wondering if you qualify for SSDI, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you get the financial support you need to focus on your health and your future.