Epilepsy
Financial concerns for people with epilepsy
Many people with well-controlled epilepsy and in full time employment said that their condition did not affect them financially. Several people with poorly-controlled epilepsy also said that their finances were not affected in any major way. One woman, for example, reported that she and her husband were comfortable financially because of his pension and her part-time salary.
Explains that she has always worked and her epilepsy has not affected her financially.
Explains that she has always worked and her epilepsy has not affected her financially.
I've just been sort of working, I stopped for a couple of months, then I got into working and I've been working since. Some people no they give up working, it depends on the person, whether you can get help from the Council that way. But I have worked actually all the way through my condition and I'm glad I have. But other people they think no they can't, it depends on whether their seizures are controlled by medication or what.
Others found that having epilepsy did restrict them financially. Some discussed the possible financial restrictions linked to employment. People with poorly-controlled epilepsy often felt that they could not work in stressful, higher paid occupations, so their earning power was limited. One man explained how he did not apply for a more demanding, higher paid job because of his epilepsy. Another felt that his epilepsy had affected his education, and that his lack of qualifications restricted the type of job he could pursue.
His epilepsy affects the work he can do and his finances.
His epilepsy affects the work he can do and his finances.
I feel that there has been, without a doubt. The job that I've been doing previously, and the choice of jobs, a) because of the limitation on the type of jobs you can do and b) the change in your ability to deliver yourself, say when we talked about sentencing [problems with speech and remembering words]. I feel that that does actually interfere and it would actually hinder my progression in the job that I would hope to do, or had hoped to do in the past. The job that I've been doing recently wasn't the most financially rewarding, so although there have been other jobs that I could have done which would have paid more, I did feel that there was a direct link in the job that I went on to do following my diagnosis and the salary I received.
One man, diagnosed at the age of 27, was moved to another job because of his epilepsy, and suffered a big drop in pay. He also had problems with insurance, and advised finding the cheapest option.
His finances were affected when he was moved to another job; he advises seeking the cheapest...
His finances were affected when he was moved to another job; he advises seeking the cheapest...
But one thing I've always done, irrespective of the epilepsy, is that if I want to buy something I always look at every option and research it to try and find the cheapest solution with the best quality. And so phoning round numerous insurance companies I was eventually able to find companies who were far more understanding.
It can sometimes be difficult to find an insurance company willing to insure someone with epilepsy since this may involve risks that are hard to assess. Some of the people we interviewed mentioned problems with getting car insurance. Others had difficulties with life insurance.
Explains that she had difficulties getting life insurance.
Explains that she had difficulties getting life insurance.
Financial restrictions particularly affected those people who were not working because they had poorly-controlled epilepsy. One woman explained that, although she wanted to work, she risked losing her benefits if she could not hold down the job. She recommended having a scheme which would enable people to use some of their benefits for future security.
Explains the risks involved if she works, and suggests that benefits should go towards future...
Explains the risks involved if she works, and suggests that benefits should go towards future...
I wish there were some kind of system whereby someone, there must be thousands like me, if I lived an intelligent life now I can do what the government wants me to do, I could save what money I've got and use it in my old age. There must be some way of covering that gap whereby it all falls through when you get '8000 and use it all. I feel like I'm living too high a life now. You know I could buy expensive food, I can use taxis, I can go out to pay for entertainment, I would rather use that money for my old age, for my medical security but nobody minds if I spend it on cigarettes, alcohol or whatever. And that doesn't seem right! (laughs)
I would be quite happy if the state for example built up some kind of token scheme where I'm not spending the money, I'm not having to have savings but I've got that insurance there for the future and I don't think it would be too difficult to build up a certain token scheme whereby at the end of the week I could use what money I've got to buy however many state tokens I want that could be used for health and health only or for housing and housing only.
People who could not work because of their epilepsy discussed the financial constraints on their lives. Some said that they could not afford moving home, buying a car and going on holiday. Several of them also noted that personal happiness and well-being were more important than material quality of life.
Explains that, although there are financial restrictions, personal happiness is more important.
Explains that, although there are financial restrictions, personal happiness is more important.
No, for me there have been many financial limitations. We've never been on holiday, these two trips to the United States and to Canada, they were paid for, I was very lucky I got a '60 ticket because a family member is a pilot so I've been very, very lucky with the help that I've been given. It seems to really have just fallen into place and a lot of the complementary therapy has ended up for me as being, I haven't had to pay for it. So I do feel that I've been very blessed in those situations. But we haven't got the things that we'd like to have. We haven't got a car that works all the time. It puts an extra strain and burden on us as a family having my husband working in a relatively low paid job; me as his wife not bringing in any paid income. So that has been difficult. Its been frustrating not being able to do the things that I would have liked to have done because I haven't had the money to do them, and I think one can see that in a sense if one looks. But on the other hand it's also a learning process that material things aren't the things that are most important. And really to be happy and to live one's life happily is really what I'm aiming to do.
Some people with poorly-controlled epilepsy are entitled to claim certain social security benefits and to special concessions for travel see GOV.UK for more details.
Last reviewed May 2016.
Last updated May 2016.
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