A medical report from a doctor will play a vital role in securing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In fact, you’ll probably need reports from several.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will base its decision on the medical evidence you present. So, the last thing you want to do is go against the medical orders of the person who wrote the report.
The SSA could be watching
Most people who claim SSDI have a legitimate reason to do so. However, there are a few people each year who try to con the SSA into paying SSDI that they do not merit because they are not as disabled as they say.
Hence, it is understandable that the SSA exercises caution, and one of the ways it may do this is by keeping an eye on someone after their claim has succeeded.
The SSA may check your social media or have a private investigator follow you to look for signs that you are more capable than you made out in your application.
You don’t have to set out to commit fraud. Merely feeling better than you expected or frustrated at not being able to do as much as before could land you in trouble. Let’s say the doctor wrote you would be unable to walk unaided for at least a year. They said you should use crutches for at least nine months. After six months, you try and take a few steps on your own. You make it 10 meters unaided before slumping to the floor, but it’s a small victory. You want to tell all those who supported you and post about it on social media – complete with a picture of you walking unaided.
If the SSA discovers this, they might decide the doctor’s report was overly pessimistic, and you will be better much sooner than predicted. That could affect your payments.
Legal guidance can increase your chances of getting any SSDI you are entitled to and help you retain it for the appropriate amount of time rather than losing it early due to errors such as disobeying your doctor’s orders.