Epilepsy turns everyday moments into danger zones. Every flash of light, late night, or skipped meal could trigger a seizure—often with no warning. If you're one of the 3.4 million Americans living with epilepsy, you know the worry of not knowing when the next episode will hit. For many, seizures they can't control make working impossible. That's where Social Security disability benefits can provide support. But how many seizures do you need to qualify?
Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer Phillip M. Hendry understands the importance of winning disability benefits when your health keeps you from working. Here’s what you should know about the medical listing requirements for epilepsy SSDI claims.
What Seizure Frequency Does Social Security Want to See?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates epilepsy under Section 11.00 Neurological of its Blue Book of Impairments. Seizure frequency is the main factor the SSA looks at to assess epilepsy disability claims. But the specific requirements vary based on the type of seizures you have:
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal)
- Occurring at least once a month for at least three consecutive months despite treatment
- Daytime episodes (loss of consciousness and convulsions)
- Nighttime episodes only if they seriously impact daytime activity
Dyscognitive Seizures (Absence, Complex Partial, Focal Impaired Awareness)
- Happening at least once a week for at least three months in a row despite treatment
- Marked limitation in physical functioning, social functioning, concentration, or pace
Seizures must happen at the listed frequency even with treatment—meaning you're following your doctor's recommendations and prescriptions. Keep a seizure log with dates, types, and a description of each event to show Social Security the severity of your condition.
What Medical Evidence Do You Need?
Records from your neurologist are the most crucial evidence for your epilepsy disability claim. Social Security will want to see:
- EEG results and other test reports
- Treatment history, including doctor notes, medicines, surgeries, and other therapies tried
- How severe your seizures are, how long they last, and how they affect you after
- Any injuries or complications caused by seizures
- How seizures impact your daily activities and abilities
Your records need to show the unpredictable, disabling nature of your seizures. An experienced Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer can help gather strong evidence, especially if your seizures happen at home without medical observation.
Documenting Seizures That Happen at Home
Many people with epilepsy experience seizures at home, often without anyone else witnessing them. This can make it harder to prove their frequency and severity to Social Security. Consider these helpful tips:
- Write down each seizure when it happens (or as soon as possible after)
- Note the date, time, type of seizure, and duration
- Describe how you felt before and after (aura, confusion, exhaustion, headache, etc.)
- Log any injuries, memory gaps, or other after-effects
- Have family members or roommates document any seizures they observe
- Use a smartphone or smartwatch app designed to detect and record seizures
The more detailed your records, the stronger your evidence will be—even without an outside medical observer for every episode. An SSDI attorney can help make sure your logs capture the key details Social Security looks for.
What If You Don't Match the Epilepsy Listing?
Meeting the strict seizure frequency requirement isn't the only way to get disability benefits. If your epilepsy seriously limits your ability to work—even if your seizures are less frequent—you may still qualify through a medical-vocational allowance.
Social Security will evaluate your capacity to work based on:
- Seizure frequency, types, and after-effects
- Other health conditions you may have
- Your age, education, and work history
- Medication side effects like drowsiness or concentration problems
- Any restrictions your doctor places on activities like driving or heights
An experienced disability lawyer can be especially valuable if you're relying on a medical-vocational allowance. They'll know how to position your limitations in terms that Social Security understands.
Finding Your Way Through Epilepsy and SSDI
Epilepsy is a master of surprises. Seizures strike without warning, changing plans and priorities in a flash. Applying for Social Security disability can feel like another challenge added to an already tough road.
You don't have to find your way through epilepsy and SSDI alone. Phillip M. Hendry has been helping Louisianans with seizure disorders through the disability claim process since 2013. He knows the roadblocks and how to guide you past them—so you can focus on your health while your benefits move ahead. With a skilled advocate by your side, the road ahead can start to feel a little less scary.