Why does SSA want a psychological evaluation? Generally speaking, Social Security will ask for a psychological evaluation if you allege any kind of mental impairment as a factor in your disability claim, whether it's your sole disabling condition or just part of what keeps you from working.
The mental status exam will simply supply the claims examiner or judge with an overview of your current mental state, including observations about demeanor, speech, memory, alertness, ability to concentrate, and ability to adequately interpret simple concepts.
If you have applied for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and your disability examiner schedules you for a psychological exam performed by a psychologist, it typically takes 2 to 3 weeks after the exam to receive a determination from Social Security.
Sometimes, the employees there need more information before they can decide if you're disabled under Social Security law. So, they ask you to have a special exam or medical test that we'll pay for. We'll also pay for certain related travel expenses.
If social security sends you a letter asking you to see a doctor at their expense, it means that the disability examiner thinks there is not enough medical evidence on the disabilities that you are alleging. Most of the time, this is because you are not getting medical treatment on your own.
In most cases, it takes 3 to 5 months to receive a decision. However, how long it takes to collect your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a determination will determine the exact timing. Your application will be forwarded to a state organization that conducts disability determinations.
Mental status exam (MSE).
An MSE is a common exam used to evaluate one's current mental state. The MSE will test memory, language skills, awareness, and mood (such as depression or agitation).
After all the reviews are completed, the SSA will then come to a final decision and determine if you are eligible to receive disability benefits. Subsequently, the SSA will send you a letter to notify you of the decision the state agency made on your case.
It includes descriptions of the patient's appearance and general behavior, level of consciousness and attentiveness, motor and speech activity, mood and affect, thought and perception, attitude and insight, the reaction evoked in the examiner, and, finally, higher cognitive abilities.
The doctor might ask questions like: What impairments do you have, and how do they affect you? How has their life changed since the onset of their mental illness? What's your ability to interact with others and your relationship with your family, friends, and the community?
The mental status examination is a useful tool to assist physicians in differentiating between a variety of systemic conditions, as well as neurologic and psychiatric disorders ranging from delirium and dementia to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
It is very hard to win a claim based on a mental condition without the support of a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist, and without a detailed report from the psychiatrist or psychologist about your mental limitations and how they limit you.
You can check the status of your application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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.
Mental evaluation.
You'll answer questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You may be asked about your symptoms in more detail, such as how they affect your day-to-day life, what makes them better or worse, and whether and how you've tried to manage them on your own.
Typically, it will take three to five months to get a decision on your application. If approved, the SSA will begin paying benefits immediately. Both SSI and SSDI applicants may receive back pay or retroactive benefits based on when the claim was filed and the date established as the onset of your disability.
Once that exam is completed and the report is released, they will finish reviewing your claim and a decision will be made. At the initial stage, it takes roughly 4-6 months to receive a decision.
They will use the information you provide to help them decide whether or not your disability qualifies under their definitions and standards for disability benefits. They may also ask that your doctor fill out a similar form to help confirm your condition and abilities.
Once you've had a consultative examination, the CE physician or psychologist who examined you sends an examination report to the DDS claims examiner. In most cases, the CE report is the last piece of medical evidence the disability examiner needs to make a decision.
The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.