5 common mistakes to avoid in the disability interview

Your disability interview is crucial in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. After submitting your application, you’ll receive a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) informing you of your interview schedule and what you need to bring. To increase your chances of approval, there are certain actions you should refrain from completing. Otherwise, you risk rejection of your application.

Making you ineligible for benefits

The disability interview is a major step in your SSDI claim. So, you want to avoid any mistakes that could hurt your chances of getting approval. Here are some of the top mistakes to avoid in the disability interview:

1. Not being prepared: You should review the Adult Disability Interview Checklist before your interview and ensure all the required documents and information are ready. These include various documents you need to bring to verify your condition. Missing documents may risk your benefits.
2. Not being honest: You should be truthful and consistent in your answers during the interview. Exaggerating, downplaying symptoms or omitting relevant information could lead to discrepancies and a delay or denial of your claim.
3. Not being specific: You should provide detailed information about your medical condition and avoid vagueness. Instead, use concrete examples, such as when your medical condition prevented you from working. By being specific, you better help the SSA understand and evaluate your claim.
4. Not being cooperative: You should cooperate and communicate with the representative during the interview. Avoid being rude, defensive or unresponsive. Remember, the representative is there to help you. Being uncooperative and rude could leave a wrong impression on the interviewer and potentially delay the progress of your application.
5. Not having representation: You have the right to have a representative, such as a lawyer or an advocate, to assist you with your claim. A representative can help you prepare for the interview and appeal unfavorable SSA decisions. While not legally required, not having a representative can reduce your chances of successful claim approval.

The disability interview is integral to your SSDI claim. So, you want to make sure you do it right. Avoiding these mistakes can help improve your chances of getting approved and receiving the benefits you deserve. You can consult an SSDI attorney to help guide you through the claims process.