When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, it is incredibly important that you are honest in all facets of the application. There’s no guarantee that your medical records will say as much about your condition as you may think is necessary in order to convince the Social Security Administration that you deserve/need Social Security benefits, but don’t try to convince the Social Security Administration that your condition is worse than it really is, as they will discover this is untrue.
For example, your physician’s notes may only indicate that you complained of upper back pain and that you were given pain medication. This kind of documentation won’t provide the Social Security Administration with sufficient information regarding the things you cannot do because of your condition. Moreover, medical records can be handwritten and difficult to read. If this is the case, your Social Security Disability caseworker may send a form to your physician or contact him by phone to get more details about how your impairments limit you. This form can reveal if you are lying about the extent of your condition and cause your whole application to be discredited if it doesn’t support the information you have submitted.
If your disability caseworker gets no response from your physician, your claim will be delayed. If after two or three weeks no response is obtained from your doctor, your disability caseworker will order a Consultative Exam or complete other steps to obtain the necessary information. A Consultative Exam is performed by a doctor hired by the SSA. Once you are asked to take a Consultative Exam, make sure you give the physician performing the exam honest answers and information about your condition.
Do not exaggerate your inability to work or the nature of your condition during the Consultative Exam, as the physician performing the exam has access to your health and medical records. It is best to be honest with your doctor, yourself and the Social Security Administration. Do not allow your worries about financial hurdles or anything else influence your dealings and actions, as dishonesty is likely to prevent you from receiving benefits.
Assess your inability to work and your condition as honestly as possible. Think about how your condition is affecting your everyday life. The Social Security Administration procures the services of well-trained professionals to figure out if your case meets their description of disability. The Social Security Administration may prevent you from getting Social Security Disability benefits if they feel your condition is not severe enough to affect your ability to work.
Be aware that the physician performing the Consultative Exam won’t provide you with medical treatment. He is also not the one who is going to decide on your claim. This physician simply conducts an exam and provides a findings report to the Disability Office. You will be notified by your disability caseworker if you are to take a Consultative Exam. Taking this examination is not obligatory. You can refuse this examination and request that a resolution be made on your disability claim based on the data in your file. However, you should realize that doing this could possibly result in the denial of your Social Security Disability claim.
During the Consultative Exam, cooperate with the examiner. You may be asked by the physician to perform something that can be painful to do because of your condition but, if possible, you should give it a try. Refusing or not trying to do what the examiner asks can affect the Social Security Administration’s decision on your claim.
Do not despair if the Social Security Administration denies your disability claim. You can file a disability appeal but may need the help of a Social Security Disability lawyer or advocate to start receiving disability benefits. If you are truly disabled, you will eventually break through the red tape and be eligible for benefits.
