Disability Law Claims Blog

Attend Social Security Physical / Mental Examination Appointments

Once your claim reaches Disability Determination Services (DDS) and the evidence of record has been reviewed, the DDS examiner may need more information about your condition to determine whether you meet the agency's disability requirements. This may include having you attend consultative examinations. 

Should you attend? 

Without a doubt, yes! 

And, send DDS the confirmation/authorization form immediately after receiving the notice to confirm that you will keep the appointment as scheduled. 

Remember, Social Security has closed many claims for non-compliance such as, ignoring their requests for more information and not attending agency scheduled appointments. 

But, the appointment date or time is inconvenient... 

If for any reason you cannot keep your appointment as scheduled, do the following: 

• Contact Disability Determination Services immediately to request a new appointment 

Bring the following with you to your appointment: 

• Photo ID
• All prescribed medications
• Eye glasses, if you need them to see
• Hearing aids, if you need them to hear
• An interpreter, if you have difficulty:
  • Seeing
  • Hearing
  • Speaking English
• A notepad and pen
  • These items are important because you'll want to document your experience by answering the following questions:
    • Who performed the examination (was it a nurse or a doctor)?
    • How long did the examination take?