When you apply for Social Security disability, they do more than check out your medical records. They often perform a pretty full investigation on you. This may involve checking your social media, speaking with former employers, or in some cases following you around.
That may sound like a detective mystery story; however, it's true.You may be investigated by any number of methods:
1. Social Media: They usually look at your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin or other accounts to see what you're up to. Why? They want to know whether you're being totally honest with them. "Fraud is Job One at Social Security" is not just their motto, it's a way of life. When you post it on social media, Social Security knows about it. I suspect they have staff who do nothing but monitor claimants' social media.
2. Consultative Examinations: When Social Security sends you to one of their doctors, it's called a consultative examination or CE. Here's what you don't know. Social Security can have an investigator follow you to the doctor's office. Yes, someone can actually sit outside your home and follow you to the doctor's appointment. The investigator may watch you drive, get in/out of your vehicle, see you smoke, and the way you walk into the office (limping, irregular gate, using a cane, running)? I've read consultative doctor's reports that say, "Claimant got out of a large pickup and walked into the office with no assistance and no limp." I wonder, how did the doctor know that? The truth is, he was probably told that by someone who followed and watched the claimant. The point is to try to catch you in a lie or something dishonest.
3. Physical Observations: Social Security can have someone drive by your house, sit outside your home or follow you when you leave. While this may be more common with fraud investigations, who's to say it doesn't happen to ordinary disability claimants when they file new applications? I was in a hearing once when a judge asked my client, "When's the last time you've been to Tunica?" Tunica, of course, is the site of a gambling casino in Mississippi. I didn't know the applicant had been there; I had no idea. But the judge knew. How? Maybe this guy had been followed by a Social Security "investigator" on a trip to Tunica?
Some questions that Social Security wants to verify (No, they won't take your word for it):
- Hidden work or hidden income?
- Previous disability claims?
- Duplicate disability claims, perhaps in other states?
- Activities that could deny disability: sports? golf? hiking? Motorcycle?
- Actual place of residence? Do you live where you say?
- Work history? Did you stop working when you say you did?
- Bank accounts or property ownership? Assets you didn't claim?
Two things should be obvious to you if you file for disability. One, be truthful on your application and all statements. Two, be careful what you put on social media. Something that seems innocent to you can be misinterpreted by Social Security and used against you. "Anything you say can and will be used against you...."
I was once very trusting in my views of the Social Security Administration. Now, not so much!
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