The SSA generally does not conduct surveillance on disability claimants, but it does not mean that they will not or will never in certain circumstances. In fact, surveillance is entirely legal.
Unlike private insurance companies the SSA does not generally conduct surveillance investigations, but that doesn't mean that they can't or never will. Once you file a disability claim, the SSA looks for proof of your disability.
THE INVESTIGATOR MAY FOLLOW YOU
The investigator may also follow you in a car if you drove to your appointment. If you drive home or to a gas station or a store after a visit to the doctor, they will follow you. Wherever you go after your exam, they may be following you.
If improvement is expected, your first review generally will be six to 18 months after the date you became disabled. If improvement is possible, but can't be predicted, we'll review your case about every three years. If improvement is not expected, we'll review your case every seven years.
(2) SSA employees authorized to listen-in to or record telephone calls are permitted to annotate personal identifying information about the calls, such as a person's name, Social Security number, address and/or telephone number.
Medical Improvement Expected
If your case is classified as MIE, you'll have your CDRs scheduled more frequently than every three years. You can expect your first CDR six to 18 months after you begin receiving benefits. In most cases, if you're over 55 years old, you won't get a CDR even if your case is designated MIE.
Triggered CDRs
In addition to holding regularly scheduled CDRs, the SSA may conduct a continuing disability review in any of the following situations: You return to work (unless you've been receiving SSDI benefits for at least 24 months). You inform the SSA that your condition has improved.
Unless your condition has improved enough for you to work, a continuing disability review is not much to worry about. You won't have to prove your disability over again.
Social Security may use your Facebook and Instagram photos to nix disability claims. Careful what you post online. The Social Security Administration may start screening your Facebook and Instagram posts to evaluate your disability claim.
Call the local authorities. With the help of police authorities, you can easily stop any illegal surveillance activities against you and report anyone who is trying to intimidate or harass you. That's how to stop a private investigator from following you right away.
Exceeding income or asset limits: By far the most common reason individuals lose their benefits is by having too much income. SSDI beneficiaries may lose their benefits if they experience an increase in income from any source that pushes them over the individual income or asset limit.
If you receive benefits through the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can check your bank account. They do this to verify that you still meet the program requirements. SSI is resource-specific and reserved for disabled people with limited means.
For those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the short answer is yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can check your bank accounts because you have to give them permission to do so.
Your Chance of Losing Benefits
It depends upon your impairment, the likelihood of medical improvement, and if you have returned to regular work activity. Although it is possible to lose benefits after a CDR, for most people, it's unlikely.
Basically, they are checking to see how poor you are. They also ask about your household, living situation, and rent, to help decide how much SSI you will get. This interview only happens for SSI. It does not happen for SSDI.
Here are some common leading reasons claims are often denied: Lack of medical evidence. Prior denials. Too much earnings.
As we explain in this blog post, SSI can check your bank accounts anywhere from every one year to six years, or when you experience certain life-changing experiences. The 2022 maximum amount of available financial resources for SSI eligibility remains at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Social security disability benefits don't last forever – they will either be terminated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or they will change to social security retirement benefits at age 66 or 67(depending on your current age)..
If you've been diagnosed with depression and you expect that you won't be able to work for at least a year because of depression, you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits.
The SSA considers your ability to do any job, not just the job you did before you became disabled. This is one reason why getting disability becomes easier at age 45. According to the SSA, “For individuals who are under age 45, age is a more advantageous factor for making an adjustment to other work.