Seeking legal counsel or professional guidance when applying for social security disability (SSD) benefits is among the best pieces of advice that one can receive and should follow. Given the complexities of all the paperwork and the application process, applying on your own—with little to no background on the SSD requirements or guidelines—may make you prone to making mistakes or lapses that can be considered fraud by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

People who knowingly lied or misrepresented any information related to their claim for disability benefits might face criminal charges for fraud. This also makes their chances of ever getting approved for benefits slim to non-existent. To ensure that you’re not unknowingly committing fraud, here are some pointers for you to keep in mind.

The Importance of Material Facts

Generally, fraud is committed when a person lies or misrepresents a material fact, or cause anyone else to lie or misrepresent such a fact. Material facts help the SSA in determining the validity of an individual’s claim, so you need to be as truthful as possible. Needless to say, intentionally withholding information and making false statements to qualify for benefits can get you in hot water with the SSA.

Common examples of fraudulent acts include lying about your education levels so as to convince the SSA that you lack skills to do other work. Also remember that you need to report all your income and actual number of working years, especially if you’re self-employed, because the SSA does not look kindly on applicants who do not report all their earnings and reduce their number of years at work just so they can stay below the income limit and receive a higher SSD back pay. In the end, know that ignorance is not an excuse. Therefore, it’s a smart move for you to consult with SSD experts who know what you should and shouldn’t do to qualify for benefits.

Source:
Be Careful Not to Commit Fraud When Applying for Disability, DisabilitySecrets.com