Can You Get Disability for Epilepsy?
You can receive Social Security Disability benefits, or SSDI, for epilepsy. The Social Security Administration lists epilepsy as a qualifying condition under section 11.02 of its Blue Book of qualifying conditions. A person with epilepsy may qualify for SSDI benefits if their condition meets certain eligibility requirements.
Is Epilepsy Considered a Disability?
The SSA defines epilepsy as a “pattern of recurrent and unprovoked seizures that are manifestations of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.” It is a qualifying disabling condition for SSDI benefits. However, a diagnosis of epilepsy on its own does not automatically qualify a person for disability benefits. For a person’s epilepsy to qualify as a disability, it must be severe enough that it prevents them from working.
When assessing neurological disorders, including epilepsy, the SSA looks for certain forms of marked limitation in areas of both physical and mental functioning. Areas of physical functioning the SSA will evaluate include the following:
- Standing
- Balancing
- Walking
- Fine and gross movements in upper extremities
- Use of one upper and one lower extremity
Areas of mental functioning the SSA looks at include the following:
- Understanding, remembering, and applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating on and persisting in tasks
- Adapting and managing yourself
These types of dysfunction do not necessarily need to prevent you from doing specific activities. They only must prevent you from functioning “independently, appropriately, and effectively” to complete work-related tasks.
Eligibility for Disability with Epilepsy
The SSA outlines eligibility criteria for epilepsy in section 11.02 of its Blue Book of adult qualifying conditions. Eligibility for benefits depends on the nature and extent of your seizures. Your epilepsy must meet the following criteria.
| Category | Frequency | Length of time | Other criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| generalized tonic-clonic seizures | 1 per month | 3 months in a row | despite treatment |
| dyscognitive seizures | 1 per week | 3 months in a row | despite treatment |
| generalized tonic-clonic seizures | 1 every 2 months | 4 months in a row | despite treatment and with marked physical, cognitive, social, or functional limitations |
| dyscognitive seizures | 1 every 2 weeks | 3 months in a row | despite treatment and with marked physical, cognitive, social, or functional limitations |
| Category |
|---|
| generalized tonic-clonic seizures |
| Frequency | Length of time | Other criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 per month | 3 months in a row | despite treatment |
| Category |
|---|
| dyscognitive seizures |
| Frequency | Length of time | Other criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 per week | 3 months in a row | despite treatment |
| Category |
|---|
| generalized tonic-clonic seizures |
| Frequency | Length of time | Other criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 every 2 months | 4 months in a row | despite treatment and with marked physical, cognitive, social, or functional limitations |
| Category |
|---|
| dyscognitive seizures |
| Frequency | Length of time | Other criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 every 2 weeks | 3 months in a row | despite treatment and with marked physical, cognitive, social, or functional limitations |
To qualify for SSDI, the applicant must have worked long enough in their lifetime and accrued a minimum number of “work credits” to be “insured” by the program. Workers accrue work credits by paying payroll taxes, which are typically deducted from the worker’s paycheck.
In 2025, workers accrue one work credit for every $1,810 earned at jobs that deduct Social Security taxes. Generally, workers over 30 must have worked at least five of the 10 years immediately before their disabling condition’s onset, earning a minimum of 20 work credits.
Applying for SSDI Benefits
If you seek SSDI benefits due to your epilepsy, you must submit your application to the SSA. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local SSA office. Be prepared to provide personal information, tax documents, medical records, and evidence of your disability and work history.
Monitor the status of your application carefully. You have a limited time to appeal your claim if you receive a denial. The SSA may also request that you attend a special medical exam or provide further documentation of your condition. The SSA will send most communications by mail, so be sure to read and keep any documents you receive. You can also track your application status online via the SSA website.
The SSDI application process is complex, especially if you’re managing a disability impacting your ability to work. Sixty-seven percent of all initial SSDI applications are denied. Receiving an application denial doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ineligible for benefits. Working with an experienced SSDI attorney can increase your chances of a successful application, ensuring you meet all the application requirements and avoid unnecessary delays.
How Much Does Disability Pay for Epilepsy?
The SSA does not offer a fixed monthly disability benefit for specific conditions. Your individual disability compensation depends on several factors.
First, to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have earned sufficient work credits to be fully insured by the program, be between 18 and 67, and receive less than $1,620 monthly income.
If you are eligible, your SSDI compensation is calculated based on the average of your highest-earning 35 years of work. If you worked less than 35 years before becoming disabled, the SSA considers your entire work history. This average is adjusted for inflation and rounded down to the nearest dollar to determine your average indexed monthly earnings, or AIME. The SSA uses your AIME to calculate your primary insurance amount, or PIA, which is equal to your full retirement benefit.
In 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month—a 2.5 percent increase from the 2024 maximum of $3,822. However, this amount is only available to individuals with high earnings and long work histories. The average SSDI compensation in 2024 was $1,537 per month.
Can My Child Receive Disability Benefits for Epilepsy?
SSDI benefits are linked to work history. Thus, children with disabilities are not eligible to receive them. However, children with epilepsy may qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits, or SSI, depending on the severity of their symptoms and their family income. SSI is a needs-based benefit program that provides monthly benefits to people who are blind, disabled, or over 65 with limited income and resources.
The SSA’s Blue Book eligibility requirements for children with epilepsy ages 18 and under are more limited than those for adults. While adults with epilepsy have four eligibility options under the Blue Book’s criteria, children with epilepsy have only two.
To receive SSI benefits for epilepsy, parents of epileptic children must provide a detailed description of a typical seizure and demonstrate either:
A. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once a month for at least three consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment OR
B. Dyscognitive seizures or absence seizures, occurring at least once a week for at least three consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment
Talk to your child’s doctor to determine whether your child meets the eligibility criteria for SSI benefits. Before applying, your child must receive and adhere to prescribed medical interventions.
What Are the Income Limits for SSI Benefits for Children With Epilepsy?
Families with children who have epilepsy must demonstrate that their income and assets fall within specific limits to qualify for SSI. These limits vary based on factors such as the number of parents in the household, the number of ineligible children, and the breakdown of earned versus unearned income. The SSA provides a “deemed income” chart on its website that outlines monthly income limits for different family sizes and income types. Review this chart carefully to determine whether your family is financially eligible.
In 2025, the monthly income limit for a two-parent household with no ineligible children in which all income is earned is $4,841. The monthly income limit for a single-parent household in the same circumstances is $3,897.
Need Help With Your SSDI Application?
The SSDI application process is difficult and often overwhelming, and most initial applications for benefits are denied. Disability Advice can connect you with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to handle your SSDI case. Whether you’ve received an SSDI denial already and need to appeal or are applying for the first time, our knowledgeable lawyers can give you the best shot at approval.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
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