Has anyone been succsesful at getting social security due to epilepsy? We just signed my son up to try to recieve benifits. He has uncontrolled epilepsy, speech issues, and is developmentlaly delayed.

YES. It can be done. Minors are much more likely to be accepted than those over 18. I had to fight for 2 years being my parents did not file when I was a minor when my problems began (before I was even IN school), but I did get accepted after 3 appeals. (headache)

Documentation is EVERYTHING.

Make refrences to ALL the Dr's seen for records.

All the medications that have been tried (and failed).

Seizure logs and blood work tests.

ER visits and reports from the hospitals

Every scrap, even witness statements of seizures will help your case.

I had 3 or 4 YEARS of seizure logs that was one of the keys that helped me win my case. I did not often go to the ER due to seizures, but when I had one in the waiting room once, I remembered that and obtained that report for ammunition in my case.

Hope this helps you in preperation for what may be a long case. You can do the Prep work in filling out the application, Dr releases, and so on, and MAKE SURE if it is turned down to fill out the APPEAL form (it is a paper appeal).

If that appeal is turned down THEN get a lawyer who will take 30% or so of the "back pay" your child is owed. The next stages "hearings" you have up to 2, before this filing is considered dead.

At the hearings people who have seen seizures can give statements. The issue in my case (as an adult) was "how does this disability impact your life and your ability to work/function".

The other argument I made relevent was I was pushed on max dose for one med, and near max for my second med. My third was not yet maxed at time of the hearing. So medication dose and the effect of the medication of the applicant is an issue you can bring up IF RELEVENT.

You can then IF DENIED refile for a newer date and the entire process starts over.

Best of luck.

--Travis

As a mother of an adult child with mental retardation we could not get SSI for Tripp until he turned 18. My husband made to much money....so if you and your spouse make to much money he will not get SSI until he turns 18.

Got it on first application- no appeals. Only one in household, and tons of documentation.

I know about the parents income, and do not know if it is good or bad for us, but for our family of 5, we make 26,000 a year. I guess it is good for SSI/SSD but I wish we did not qualify based on making more. :)

That still might be ok with SSD for the individual....and also look into Medicaid. If SSD is approved, most states ok Medicaid, although there can be high monthly "deductibles" or spend downs.......