Have you filed a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim or appeal? If you get the feeling that somebody is watching you, you may not be wrong.
Surveillance of one kind or another is par for the course in most SSDI claims. While nobody is likely to be following you around town or sitting outside your home with a long-distance lens and a camera, there are times you are probably going to be watched.
When you’re online
The Social Security Administration does not officially use social media (with some exceptions) as part of the initial disability evaluation process, despite calls to do so. That does not mean your online activity is entirely irrelevant, however.
If something is publicly available, it can be seen. Disability examiners are human. A casual search could show a photo, video or some post that appears inconsistent with your reported limitations. Even though a post never tells the whole story, it isn’t worth the risk.
When you’re at a consultative exam
If Social Security needs more information, you may be scheduled for a consultative exam. These are not typical medical appointments. They are evaluations, and in many ways, they function more like an investigation.
From the moment you arrive, you should assume you are on record. That includes how you walk into the building, how you sit in the waiting room, how you interact with staff and what you say to others, even in casual conversation. The receptionist may be making notes. The doctor is evaluating not just your condition, but your presentation and consistency.
You should also assume that observation does not stop when the exam ends. How you move through the parking lot, whether you appear to struggle with mobility and how you handle routine tasks can all be noticed, written down and made part of your disability evaluation.
This does not mean you should act differently than you normally would. It means you should be aware that the evaluation starts before you are called back and may continue after you leave.
When you’re at SSA
Even a visit to your local Social Security office can become part of your file. SSA claims representatives are allowed (and expected) to document their observations and pass that information along to the disability examiner handling your case. That can include how you communicate, whether you appear confused or focused, what physical problems you seem to have and any statements you make about your daily activities.
These notes are not usually the deciding factor in a case, but they can contribute to the overall picture of how your condition affects you.
Being aware of how the process works can help you avoid misunderstandings and present your claim as clearly and accurately as possible. If you have questions about your SSDI claim or how it may be evaluated, an experienced attorney can help you understand what to expect and how to move forward.