Noteboom The Law Firm

Ensure the Accuracy of Your Social Security Disability Documents

If you plan to apply for Social Security disability benefits, be sure that your medical records are accurate. If it appears that they have been falsified, there could be serious charges. Just ask the perpetrator in the latest Social Security fraud case.

According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, a 45-year-old man recently pleaded guilty to fraud after he applied for disability benefits and was denied. The denial occurred in 2003, at which time he apparently appealed the decision. This is typically the right way to go about dealing with a denial, but the problem in this case was that he provided false medical records during the appeals process.

These records allowed him to receive about $56,000 in benefits, as the SSA was under the assumption that his condition was so bad that he could not work. Once the fraud was discovered, the Department of Justice got involved.

To make matters worse, he also attempted to use false documents to obtain benefits from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department. However, he never got any money from the agency. He will be sentenced in 2010, and faces a possible fine of a quarter of a million dollars, as well as up to five years in prison.

Clearly, defrauding the SSA is a serious offense, and such cases contribute to the extensive response time for most applications.

Though this man admits to his purpose to defraud, the case demonstrates the serious consequences of misleading the SSA when trying to get benefits. It may serve as a reminder to ensure that your documents are correct and that you send in the right medical records. If you need help filing your application, or have any questions, contact a lawyer.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.