Always Tell The Truth When Filing For Social Security Disability

Always Tell The Truth When Filing For Social Security Disability.

When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) schedules an in-person or telephone interview. The Social Security disability interview allows the SSA to gather additional information about your disability to make a decision regarding your claim.

The representative might instruct you to bring specific documents to the interview. You might also receive a letter instructing you to bring specific items.

Items you want to have with you and prepared in advance of the interview include:

• Your government-issued driver’s license or other picture identification
• Your birth certificate and Social Security card, if you have them
• Complete list of all medical conditions, including onset or diagnosis date
• Date your disabilities became so severe you could not work
• The date you last were able to work
• Your work history for the past 15 years
• Names, addresses, and contact numbers for all medical providers, including treatment dates
• List of all current medications and the exact dosage for each medication
• Prior medical tests, including the date and location of the test

The representative will also confirm your marital status, children, military service, income, and resources. If you apply for SSI, you must also provide information for your bank accounts, insurance policies, real estate owned, and vehicles owned.

The interviewer may ask questions about your living situation, including who lives in the home with you. They also need to know all sources of income for you and your spouse if you are married.

The interviewer gathers as much information as possible so the SSA can evaluate your claim to determine if your disability qualifies for SSI or SSDI. It is essential that you always tell the truth when filing for Social Security disability and make it clear that you want to work, but your condition prevents you from doing so.

When discussing your disability and medical conditions, do not exaggerate your symptoms. Instead, clearly identify your disability by the medical term and describe the symptoms and consequences of the condition.

Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions to provide realistic answers. For example, the interviewer might ask for your pain level most days. If you say “10 all day and night,” you will not appear credible. You would be in the hospital if your pain level remained at 10 all the time.

Instead, consider how you feel in the morning versus at bedtime or when you are standing or sitting for long periods. Try to provide precise answers with details to back up your answers.