social security disability

Social Security Disability Mental Testing


 
People who file for social security disability (SSD) or SSI benefits on the basis of a mental impairment may be required to attend a social security medical exam, or consultative examination (CE).

Social security requires consultative exams for both physical and mental conditions, usually when there is not enough medical information available for the disability examiner to make a decision on the claim. This is particularly true in the case of mental consultative exams, because so often those with mental conditions have had little or no past medical treatment for their condition. If you have never been treated for your mental impairment, or have not been recently treated (within the past three months) you will probably be scheduled for a mental CE.

Mental CEs are given by either psychiatrists or psychologists, depending on the type of examination scheduled: a psychiatric examination, psychological exam/IQ test. These mental health professionals are not employees of the social security administration, which helps to eliminate the possibility of any bias on their part; however, do not attempt to purposely score poorly on your mental examination, as this is something that is easy for just about any qualified mental health professional to pick up on.

You should always give your best effort in any sort of mental testing, and this means answering all questions to the best of your ability, and under no circumstances giving answers that you know to be incorrect. If the psychiatrist or psychologist performing the test suspects that you are not giving your best effort, you may have to take the test again, and of course your character and your claim will appear questionable to the disability examiner or judge in charge of deciding if you should receive benefits.

In a worst-case scenario, your case may be denied if DDS (disability determination services, the state agency that makes all disability decisions for the social security administration) feels that you are obstructing the disability determination process by refusing to fully cooperate during your CE.

Cooperation also includes showing up for the exam on time and on the date scheduled. If you miss the exam you could potentially be denied for disability benefits based on failure to cooperate (though, typically, at least one missed exam, and sometimes two missed exams, will be rescheduled). This is true even if you are not filing for disability based on a mental condition, but have been asked to attend a CE because your medical records list symptoms such as depression, memory loss, or panic attacks, etc.

Bottom line: If you are scheduled for a mental consultative exam, show up and do your level best—anything less than that will seriously jeopardize your chance of being approved for disability benefits.














How the programs really work:  

Social Security Disability and SSI Disability

Including Tips, Advice, Strategies & Common mistakes to avoid.










Topics and Questions


  • Recent Medical Records for a Social Security Disability or SSI case

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal ?

  • Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • What is considered a Disabling condition by Social Security?

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • Can the Social Security Office give you Bad Advice on a Disability Claim?

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • What does social security mean by disability, i.e. what is the definition?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • What Happens When You File a Social Security Disability Application?

  • Social Security Disability Representation

  • Are SSI and SSD disability claims denied by social security for lack of evidence?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

  • The SSI Award Letter from Social Security

  • Apply for Disability with Depression

  • What Will a Disability Lawyer Do to Win a Social Security Case?

  • SSI Social Security Disability and Back Pain

  • Social Security Disability SSI Appeal

  • Social Security Disability Denial, Does It Matter If I Get Denied On Reconsideration?

  • Advice for How to Win Social Security

  • Qualifying for disability benefits with the social security administration

  • Social Security Medical Exam

  • Social Security Disability Advice from the Wrong Sources

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Narcolepsy and Applying for Social Security Disability SSI Benefits

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • What Is The Difference between SSD and SSI?

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

  • For Social Security Disability Do I Need To Give My Dates of Treatment?

  • Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability

  • Why was I denied social security disability?

  • Who Makes The Social Security Disability Decision, A Judge Or A Caseworker?

  • Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

  • Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

  • How is Social Security Disability and SSI Awarded?

  • How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?












    Special Sections


  • Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • Filing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • Social Security Disability SSI Decisions

  • What is considered a Disabling condition?

  • The Disability Decision Process

  • Winning Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Getting Denied for Disability







    Return to SSI, Social Security Disability Benefits Center