
Seizure Disorders and Social Security Disability: Understanding Your Options
Millions of people live each day without knowing whether a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain will cause them to be momentarily incapacitated by a seizure. Medication prescribed by physicians and other health care professionals may have only limited effectiveness in managing disabling seizures. In some instances, the side effects of the medication may interfere with daily activities, including the ability to work.
If you cannot work because of seizures that are not controlled by medication, Social Security disability for seizures may provide monthly cash payments and medical insurance coverage. Qualifying for seizure disability benefits is not easy. Most applications going through the initial disability determination process result in a denial of benefits, but the disability attorneys at GCC Law want you to know that winning a seizure disorder disability claim is not impossible.
Understanding Seizures: Causes, Types, and Effects
Seizures are caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain’s nerve cells, called neurons. The sudden electrical activity may cause abnormal muscle movements, including muscle twitching, stiffening, or limb rigidity. A seizure may also cause a person to lose consciousness or experience unusual thoughts and sensations or a change in awareness of their surroundings.
Seizures fall into two groups: focal and generalized. Focal seizures, sometimes called partial seizures, begin with electrical activity in one part of the brain that is typically caused by an injury, such as a blow to the head occurring in a car accident or a sporting event. It also may be caused by a stroke or a surgical procedure to remove a tumor.
Depending on the extent of the damage to the brain, focal seizures cause mild to severe symptoms that may include:
- Confusion
- Feeling dazed
- Minor shaking
- Muscle stiffening
- Fumbling movements
- Alcohol or drug use
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Loss of oxygen to the brain
Symptoms of generalized seizures may include the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Stiffing muscles
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Jerking limb movements
- Difficulty breathing
Treatment for generalized or focal seizures may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or lifestyle changes.
Disability Benefit Programs Through Social Security For Seizures
The Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs pay disability benefits to individuals unable to work because of seizures. The programs administered by Social Security use the same definition of disability when reviewing claims filed on behalf of adults.
You must be totally and permanently disabled to be approved for SSD for seizures with medical records documenting that you cannot do substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental impairment expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The programs differ in their non-medical requirements for eligibility.
Financial need is the non-medical eligibility requirement for the SSI program. You must have little or no income, and your resources cannot exceed $2,000 in value for individuals or $3,000 for couples. Resources include property, bank accounts, and other things of value.
SSDI requires a work history at jobs subject to payment of Social Security taxes on your earnings. You must have worked for a long enough duration and recently enough to meet the non-medical requirements for eligibility.
Both programs offer medical benefits. If you qualify for SSDI, you become eligible for Medicare benefits 24 months after your monthly benefit payments start.
SSI recipients may qualify for Medicaid benefits immediately upon approval of their application for disability benefits. However, some states require filing a separate application and that you meet the eligibility requirements of your state to be approved for Medicaid.

Qualifying For Seizure Disability Benefits
When you file a seizure disorder disability claim, it is reviewed to determine whether you meet the non-medical or financial requirements for eligibility. If you do, it goes on to a Disability Determination Services office. DDS offices are state agencies funded by the federal government.
A DDS representative reviews your medical records and other documentation supporting your application for seizures disability benefits. Their task is to decide whether you have a disability severe enough to meet the federal definition and prevent you from working.
The first way they accomplish their task is by using the listing of impairments or Blue Book containing medical conditions severe enough to qualify a person for disability benefits. Each listed condition includes criteria to meet. For example, Section 11.02 contains criteria for evaluating a claim from someone with epilepsy.
The listing goes on to offer a third option for someone to qualify with a generalized seizure once every two months for four consecutive months combined with marked limitations in specific physical and mental functions. Another option for someone with focal seizures is one every two weeks for at least three consecutive months with marked limitations in specific physical and mental functions.
If you do not qualify using the listing of impairments, the DDS evaluates your residual functional capacity or RFC. RFC determines work activities you are capable of doing with the limitations imposed by your seizure disorder. Your impairment must prevent you from doing work done in the past or adapting to other types of jobs available in the economy.

Contact Us For Help With Your Seizure Disability Claim
You have too much at stake to take on the Social Security disability benefits system without a skilled and experienced GCC Law seizure disability attorney fighting for you. We go above and beyond to give your claim the personal attention it deserves. Whether you have questions about filing an application or need our outstanding representation to challenge a denial of benefits through the appeal process, seizures disability attorneys are here for you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation.
Call Our Illinois Seizure Disorders Disability Lawyers Today
At GCC Law Firm, our Illinois Seizure Disorders disability attorneys provide personalized, solutions-driven legal advocacy for clients. If your SSDI or SSI claim has been denied in Illinois, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free and completely confidential initial consultation, please contact our law firm today.
Call (479) 340-0002.