Seven facts about complex partial seizures
Today’s guest article is contributed by Meredith Walker, who writes about the masters in public health. She welcomes your feedback at “MeredithWalker1983 at gmail.com” Enjoy the article and please make her feel welcome!
Complex partial seizures are epileptic seizures that affect one particular region of the brain. These seizures do not usually cause a tonic seizure more commonly associated with epilepsy, but instead affect thoughts and behavior.
Sufferers may go undiagnosed or misunderstood as this type of seizure is often not recognized as a physical disability and thought, instead, to be a mental disorder. Even when diagnosed, those with complex partial seizures may feel isolated as this invisible disability may …
I earn too much for Social Security disability benefits, what can I do?
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits you have to show that your disability prevents you from being able to work. In Social Security’s words, you have to show that you are unable to engage in a substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA translates into a maximum dollar amount you are allowed to earn and still be potentially eligible for Social Security benefits.
For 2011, the most you can earn is $1,000 per month (before taxes or deductions). If you earn more than this, Social Security …
Childhood epilepsy and Social Security disability benefits
How does Social Security look at children’s disability cases based on epilepsy or other seizure disorders?
Social Security first considers the Listing of Impairments. The Listings are a set of descriptions of medical conditions which can be disabling. The Listings tell you the what kind medical evidence you need and the medical findings to prove that the condition is disabling. While the Listings are not the only way to be found disabled, they are very important in children’s disability cases.
For seizure disorders, there are two critical Listings.
111.02 Major motor seizure disorder
111.03 Nonconvulsive epilepsy
How much can I earn and keep my SSI?
This is a particularly tough question. I previously wrote about how earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount may cause your benefits to be stopped in Social Security Disability Insurance cases.
In SSI cases, I just learned that you can earn more than the SGA amount and still keep your SSI benefits.
WARNING: I do not pretend to be a understand SSI benefits calculations. I strongly encourage anyone reading this to check this information with Social Security. Also, any Social Security technicians are more than welcome correct any errors I may make here.
To figure out how much you can …
Where is your Social Security file? Try the automated file locator
This is just pure gold. I wish I could take credit for finding this, but Gordon Gates deserves major kudos for discovering this service.
…there is a number (not a person) to call to inquire about a Social Security disability claim. Call the automated file locator number: 1-410-965-8882. The number is available only during business hours. You will be asked for the first 5 digits of your client’s Social Security number.
The automated file locator will give you the telephone number of the office handling that claim. When you call that phone number, you get to talk with a person who can actually help you.
So, if you …
“What I Learned From My Son”
This article from a mother with a special needs child is especially touching. The worry, the fear, and the hope that home schooling might help spare the child ridicule and help him develop to his full potential is palpable.
Since he was very young, there has always been something about the way my Baby Bear lines up his cars, counts his blocks and just cannot step away from a task that has bothered me. I recognized the signs. I grew up with it. But I pushed it out of my mind because I did not want it to be there. It is something I am powerless before. And …
Social Security News
The “Social Security Hot Topics” Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program provided quite a bit of information about the state of Social Security.
More judges on the way:
150 new judges already hired in 2009.
20-30 additional judges to be hired before end of 2009
~200 more judges to be hired in 2010.
Applications on the rise:
With the poor economy, more people are filing for disability benefits. There has been approximately a 25% increase in new claims filed in 2009.
Psychological problems loom large in disability cases:
35-40% of disability cases involve mental limitations.
New National Hearing Centers (NHC) coming online:
National Hearing Centers handle video hearings only, and can hear cases from around the country to try to reduce …
Do you need an FCE in a Social Security case?
I was recently asked if you need a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) in a Social Security disability case. No, but it really helps if you can get one.
As I previously wrote, it is vital to get a statement from your doctor about your abilities and limitations in the workplace. This is sometimes called a medical source statement, medical opinion, or a statement of your residual functional capacity.
Normally, this medical opinion is just your doctor’s “best guess” of what you can and cannot do. I don’t want to put this down. A doctor who knows your condition, and who knows you, can make a very good guess about how the conditions affects you and how it would affect you in the workplace.
However, a functional capacity evaluation objectively tests what you can and cannot do. A typical FCE will take 4 to 6 hours to test what you can do. You will be tired and quite possibly sore after it is done. However, this is often the very best evidence of your abilities and limitations.
Social Security already sent me to a doctor who had me bend and stretch. Is that the same thing?
iBot discontinued but motorized wheelchair technology marches on
I was surprised to read in Popular Science that Dean Kamen’s iBot (an electric, motorized wheelchair which goes from four wheels to two wheels lifting the rider in the process, and can climb stairs,) has been discontinued due to costs. Neither insurance companies, nor Medicaid, wanted to foot the bill for this expensive, although amazing, power chair.
If you are lucky enough to have an iBot, HiZook notes that service will continue on the iBot until 2013.
Here is a commercial for the now departed iBot:
How cool was that! Check out the SavetheIBot campaign to try to …
