Our Experienced SSDI Lawyer Guides Clients With Seizure Disorders Through the Complex Process of Obtaining Benefits
The adverse effects of living with a seizure disorder aren’t limited to your health. Between the unpredictability of seizures and their tendency to make it difficult to concentrate, remember instructions, and perform other critical tasks, frequent seizures can significantly impact your ability to engage in and sustain substantial gainful employment.
Fortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can serve as a vital lifeline by providing monthly payments to qualifying individuals who can no longer work due to a severe disability. Phillip M. Hendry Law helps clients with seizure disorders navigate the complex disability application process to obtain the SSDI benefits they deserve. Complete the contact form or call 318-553-5900 to request a free initial consultation to find out how our skilled Louisiana law firm can assist you.
Seizures—sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movement, and consciousness—can make it challenging to hold a job and maintain regular attendance. Seizure-related work absences increase your risk of being fired and make it harder to secure new employment.
Though frequent seizures that prevent work might qualify you for SSDI, the application process is so rigorous that even people with severe disabilities are often initially denied benefits. Here’s what you should know about applying for SSDI for a seizure disorder and how working with our knowledgeable Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer could increase your chances for approval.
Reviewing SSDI Eligibility
Qualifying for SSDI requires meeting strict Social Security Administration (SSA) eligibility criteria from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You must:
- Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security long enough to amass sufficient work credits
- Be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- Have a medically determinable impairment (MDI) that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death
Qualifying for SSDI for Seizures
Simply having seizures might not qualify you for SSDI. The SSA will assess their severity and impact on your daily functioning. When evaluating medical impairments, the SSA refers to a guide called the Blue Book that lists qualifying conditions and outlines the criteria you must meet to be considered disabled.
Listing 11.02 covers epilepsy and seizure disorders, and meeting or equaling the Blue Book requirements for these conditions can significantly strengthen your claim for benefits. Meeting a Blue Book listing means satisfying the specific criteria for a particular medical condition. However, even if your symptoms don’t precisely match the listing, you might still qualify if you can show that your seizures are equally disabling. We help clients navigate this complex process, presenting your claim in the most favorable light and in the format the SSA expects and understands.
Medical Documentation Is Essential
Comprehensive medical evidence is critical for a successful SSDI claim for seizures. This includes:
- Detailed reports from neurologists and other treating physicians describing the nature and impact of your seizures
- Results of EEGs (Electroencephalograms), brain imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests that objectively demonstrate the presence and characteristics of your seizures
- Complete record of medications, therapies, and other treatments you’ve tried, along with their effectiveness (or lack thereof)
These documents should provide a clear picture of the frequency and severity of your seizures, how they impact daily functioning, and any side effects of medications. Providing a journal that details your seizure symptoms and how they affect your ability to perform your job duties may also be helpful.
Get the Legal Guidance You Deserve for Your SSDI Claim
Are seizures preventing you from engaging in substantial gainful employment? You might be eligible for SSDI, but with 70 percent of claims initially denied, there’s far too much at stake to go it alone. Phillip M. Hendry Law provides the legal guidance clients living with disabling seizure disorders need to obtain the benefits they deserve.