Noteboom The Law Firm

It’s Essential to Be Honest When Applying for Disability Benefits

When applying for, or receiving, Social Security disability benefits, it's important to be honest with the Social Security Administration (SSA) about your living arrangements, medical condition(s) and any sources of income. Failing to do so can result in you losing your disability benefits, or even worse, facing fines and jail time.

This is why many disability recipients benefit from the help of an experienced disability attorney. A lawyer who is well-versed in the SSA's rules and regulations will be able to help you to navigate the system and prevent you from making critical errors that could prove detrimental to your case.

For an example of what can go wrong, consider the case of a West Virginia woman who was recently charged with concealment of her income and living arrangements from the SSA. Her failure to tell the truth to the SSA allowed her to be paid thousands of dollars in monthly Social Security disability funds.

According to The Lincoln Journal, this woman collected about $30,545 in SSA funds from March 2003 to June 2009. She was able to receive the payments because she told the SSA that she did not live with her husband, even though she did.

This woman faces punishment that could include 3 years of supervised probation, 5 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. No date has been set for her trial yet.

It is important to be as truthful and accurate as possible when it comes to sharing information with the SSA that may affect your disability case. This includes being honest about your current living arrangements.

If you or your loved is suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Atlanta, Georgia, understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.