With National Epilepsy Awareness Month currently happening, it is important for everyone to know that they could qualify for SSA benefits based on their seizure disorder, with one example being epilepsy. Of course, like any other medical disorder, whether or not it qualifies for SSA benefits will depend on the criteria that have been established by the SSA.
Seizures: An Overview
Seizures are among the most complicated of medical disorders and it can be challenging for even expert medical providers to break them down by category. There are many different reasons why someone might suffer from seizures, which include:
- Epilepsy
- Cancerous processes, such as brain cancer
- Metabolic disorders, such as defects in glucose and ammonia metabolism
- A history of a traumatic brain injury
- And more
Therefore, it is important for everyone who suffers from seizures (including their family members) to understand how the SSA categorizes seizures. This will help people with seizure disorders, and their family members, set their case up for success.
Classification of Seizures By the SSA
Like every other issue that prevents people from working full-time, the Social Security Agency is going to want to know that the seizures prevent an individual from working on a full-time basis. In order to help with this, there are two different broad categories that the agency is going to use. These are:
Tonic-Clonic seizures, which are the generalized seizures with body-shaking that most people are familiar with
- Dyscognitive seizures, which are seizures that might not necessarily be visible to the naked eye
- As with all impairments, Social Security’s general rule for claims is that the seizures must prevent you from working on a full-time basis.
Broadly speaking, the first category has an individual shaking, losing consciousness, and falling to the ground. In contrast, the individual may lose awareness temporarily but might not present like a “classic” seizure. Regardless, both types can pose serious problems for individuals who are trying to work full-time.
For more information about epilepsy, seizures, and the SSA Application process, click here. If you or a loved one needs help understanding and/or submitting a SSA claim for seizures, epilepsy, or a similar ailment, call our offices for a complimentary consult now.
