What should you not say when applying for disability?

Asked by: Brannon Schaden  |  Last update: June 30, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (21 votes)

Ten Things You Should Never Say When Applying For Social Security Disability
  • “It's not that bad. ...
  • “I'm getting better.” ...
  • “I can work, but no one will hire me.” ...
  • “It hurts.” ...
  • “I'm not being treated.” or “I stopped treatment.” ...
  • “I have a history of drug use/criminal activity.” ...
  • “My relative gets disability.”

How do I pass a disability interview?

It's extremely important to stick to the facts during your interview and provide accurate and honest answers to the questions you're asked. The information you provide and discuss during your interview need to align with the information provided on your application and your medical records.

What disabilities are hard to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental illness stands as one of the most prevalent causes of disability, yet its impact is often underestimated or misunderstood. ...
  • Chronic Pain Disorders. ...
  • Fibromyalgia. ...
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Autoimmune Disorders.

What not to tell a disability judge?

Subjects to avoid unless you are directly questioned include:
  • Any family members receiving unemployment or disability benefits.
  • Details about your criminal history.
  • Issues related to alcohol or drugs.
  • Non-compliance with your doctor's orders.
  • Living in a town with no available job opportunities.

What is the easiest condition to get disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What Not to Say at Your Disability Hearing

19 related questions found

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

It includes:
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
  • Special Senses and Speech, such as blindness and hearing loss.
  • Respiratory Disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and respiratory failure.
  • Cardiovascular System, such as hypertension and heart disease.

What gives 100% disability?

What Is a 100% Disability Rating? A 100 percent disability rating, or total disability rating, is the highest rating VA can assign for service-connected compensation purposes. VA reserves this rating for veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected conditions.

What do disability judges look for?

For work history, you will be asked to describe job duties on your last job and on all significant jobs you've had during the past fifteen years. The judge may want to know how much weight you had to lift on each job and about how much time during the workday that you spent sitting, standing and walking on each job.

What disqualifies a person from disability?

We consider your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you can't do other work, we'll decide you are eligible for disability benefits. If you can do other work, we'll decide that you don't have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.

What counts as evidence of disability?

It says you're disabled if: you have a physical or mental impairment. your impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities.

What is the most overlooked disability?

A: Generally, the most overlooked disabilities are mental health disorders. These include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, to name a few. They are often overlooked and misunderstood. These conditions also affect each person differently, so there is no formula to evaluate the severity of a condition.

Which conditions do not count as a disability?

If you struggle with the use of alcohol, nicotine or any other drug, you usually won't be considered disabled under the Equality Act.

Why do most people get denied for disability?

The most common nonmedical reason for denying a claim is insufficient number of recent work credits.

What to say to get approved for disability?

Before your doctor's appointment, be clear about why you want disability benefits. Explain how your medical condition makes it hard for you to work and do daily tasks. Give specific examples, like times when you had trouble lifting or walking. Note any problems because of things like dust, heat, or cold.

How would you describe daily activities for disability?

When describing your daily activities, be specific about the tasks you perform and the limitations you experience. For example, if you have difficulty standing for long periods, describe how this affects your ability to perform household chores or run errands.

What are the signs you will be approved for social security disability?

6 Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
  • #1 Sign That You Will Be Approved for Disability: Meeting Work Credit Requirements.
  • #2: Strong Medical Evidence.
  • #3: Meeting the SSA's Listed Impairment Criteria.
  • #4: Earning Below SGA Limits.
  • #5: Age as an Eligibility Factor.
  • #6: Inability to Perform Past Work.

What proof is needed for disability?

Medical evidence already in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors' reports, and recent test results; and. Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers' compensation-type benefits you received [more info].

What are the most approved disabilities?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

What not to tell a disability doctor?

Exaggerate Your Symptoms or Disabilities

While you should always be open and honest about your condition, do not exaggerate or claim to have symptoms that you do not. The doctor will likely see through it, which could make them doubt other things you tell them, ultimately harming your claim.

What makes a strong disability case?

A strong Social Security disability claim will need significant medical evidence of your disability. At a minimum, your application should include copies of medical records of treatment you have received for your disability.

What triggers a disability review?

You aren't following the treatment your doctor ordered (without a good reason), and you probably could work if you followed the treatment. You gave us false or misleading information when we made an earlier decision. You're working and your average monthly earnings show that you're doing substantial gainful work.

How do you describe pain to a disability judge?

Pain is often hard to describe, but you should do your best to relate your pain as specifically as possible to the judge. This would include telling the judge what type of pain you experience (burning, stabbing, etc.), how often you experience it, and how you would quantify it (for example, on a scale of 1 to 10).

How much a month is 100% disability?

Those with total disability get the 100 VA disability benefits, where 100 is 100%, which is the maximum VA benefit/rate. Today, the 100% VA disability payment ranges between $3,700 and $4,200 based on a veteran's specific condition and factors like the number of children, spouse, and age of the children.

What the most money for disability will pay?

The maximum monthly benefits for SSI, SSDI, and retirement in 2024:
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – The maximum payment is $943 monthly for individuals and $1,415 monthly for couples.
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – The maximum payment is $3,822 a month (up from $3,627 in 2023).

What is a nexus letter?

A NEXUS letter is the medical evidence a doctor prepares for a veteran that explains how and why the veteran's current medical condition is related to his military service or secondary to an established service connected disability.