Many people with neurological disorders experience trouble accessing fundamental benefits. Depending on the neurological disorder and the extremeness of the symptoms, it’s possible for a person to go months or years without gainful employment. So why is it so hard to access SSDI benefits for a debilitating disorder? Why is it so troublesome to obtain benefits for a disorder that will follow you through the remainder of your life?
It’s not just about the lack of income, but also the extraordinary expensive treatment for most neurological disorders. Then add the additional expenses. What about people with epilepsy who simply can’t hold a driver’s license and face additional expenses of having to pay for transport wherever they need to go? What about the people with brain injuries who require additional assistance in their home or in their workplace that is costly and burdensome? These issues are all elements that the Social Security Administration should take responsibility for it. However, people still struggle.
What is a Neurological Disorder?
A neurological disorder is any disorder that affects the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. This means it can affect them on a structural, electrical, or biochemical level. The tight correlation between the brain and the body’s nervous system has resulted in a massive range of disorders that all fall under the giant umbrella of “neurological.”
Some of these disorders are born, such as epilepsy, and others occur because of brain injury or even malnutrition. In fact, neurological disorders vary between genetic, congenital, infection developed, lifestyle disorders, health problems, injury, and more.
There are over 600 neurological diseases, and some are considered disabilities. Not all neurological disorders or diseases are disabling, and many allow the person to live a completely unaffected life.
Some neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease can be so debilitating that it’s not reasonable to expect that person to work even with reasonable accommodation.
The Blue Book on Neurological Conditions
Because there are so many neurological diseases, and it is almost impossible for the Social Security Administration to provide an overarching determination for each disease, they evaluate through physical and mental limitations. When there are limitations to functions on the physical or mental playing, the SSA looks at the extent of executive functioning and various body systems.
To see the over-complication of neurological conditions in the Blue Book, you can look at epilepsy, one of the most common neurological disorders. To address epilepsy, the SSA has identified epilepsy in four different characteristics identified as a, b, c, and d. Where in “A” a series of seizures which may occur once a month for three consecutive months.
In regard to the Blue Book and what most people experience when living with epilepsy, none of these four categories fit for long stretches of time. It is possible for a person with epilepsy to have regular seizures over the course of a few months and then, with proper medication, go months or years without an episode.
Epilepsy is the primary example of how the Social Security Administration evaluates and considers neurological disorders as disabilities. Keep in mind that SSDI benefits require that the person go at least 12 months without working, and none of the descriptions under epilepsy would meet that requirement as all address three-month periods.
Anyone with a neurological disorder is in for a massive battle with the Social Security Administration if they want to access benefits through SSI or SSDI.
Understanding SSDI Benefits and Restrictions
Applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits in Wisconsin almost guarantee that you’re going to receive a denial. The over 70% denial rate means that there are hundreds if not thousands of people in the state that need help and support from government benefits, but they paid into, and they simply can’t access them. Why? The Social Security Administration has made it nearly impossible for people to get through the rigorous application process without receiving a denial. Then the entire process is drugged out through an appeal system, and it almost always turns to the person needing an attorney to navigate these complex waters.
Don’t wait until you’re ready to appeal your denial to get in SSDI attorney. At Tabak law, you can get the support you need right now. We help the many people throughout Milwaukee, and the surrounding area filed for SSDI or SSI benefits and fight for the benefits that they deserve. This means entering your application is complete and correct, and then battling through appeals if you receive an unjust denial.