Don’t Let Memorial Day Impact Your Disability Claim!

Read Time: 5 Minutes.

Memorial Day is coming up: the official “kick off” to summer. Back when you were healthy, the norm was to go to the river, go to the lake, or maybe go to your kids’ ball game. Now, those events may be impossible or incredibly draining. The exception rather than the norm.

No one is saying you shouldn’t have fun on Memorial Day, but if you’re in the PROCESS of applying for disability benefits, these activities could really hurt your case and prevent you from qualifying. So let’s get into that. Check out this short video from Disability Representative, Roy Rickstrew, or keep reading to learn how your festivities could impact your disability claim.

Unexpected Injuries Might Appear in Your Medical Records

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve heard me say it before: be careful what you say in your doctor appointments.

Let’s say that for Memorial Day, your family decided to hike up to a little spot to have an outdoor picnic. Not a big deal for many people, but this requires a lot of physical exertion from you and the ability to navigate uneven terrain. But it’s just the one time, for the holiday, so you tough it out.

Unfortunately, you get a little ahead of yourself and end up twisting a knee or spraining a wrist. When your doctor asks what happened, this is where you need to be mindful. Be honest and transparent with your activities, but do not brush it off as “no big deal” or “I’m fine.” Give context, like if you used a paved path or took a lot of breaks.

As difficult as it is to talk about your struggles and limitations, it is crucial to accurately convey the impact of your activities on your health. If you downplay the intensity of the physical exertion during the hike or fail to mention the difficulties it caused, it might not be evident in your medical records how such activities affect your daily life.

Family Might Post Memorial Day Photos

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has many ways that they can legally investigate your life to help ensure fraud prevention. One of their most common access points to your life is social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. If you have friends or children who are heavily active in social media, the SSA might notice that there are pictures and videos of you indulging in recreational activities for Memorial Day.

Again, it is not their intent to force you into a life of seclusion or isolation. But let’s be realistic: what does it look like when you claim that you can’t work, and yet they can see that you’re out having fun instead of holding a job? They don’t know you, and they especially don’t know how exhaustive or physically demanding this holiday was on you.

So let’s be proactive about this. If you’re going to be active on social media, make sure that the narrative is accurate. Consider adding captions or comments that provide context to your activities. For example, if there are pictures of you at the outdoor picnic, you could make a comment explaining that while you were able to attend the event, it took a significant toll on your energy levels and you wished you could have stayed longer or been more involved.

Make Sure Your Disability Application is Honest

Remember, the goal is not to deceive anyone but to ensure that your disability claim accurately reflects your reality.

If your disability application is missing information because you’re afraid it will count against you, this will raise some red flags with the SSA. They do not like to see missing details, inconsistent accounts on your abilities and limitations, or vague descriptions of your daily life.

Transparency is key in these situations. Be honest with your doctors, be conscious of what you post on social media, and most importantly, be true to yourself. Memorial Day should not have to impact your disability claim negatively if you are upfront about your struggles and limitations.

Remember, the truth will ultimately prevail in the end, and your honesty will be crucial in ensuring that you receive the support you genuinely need.

Here’s How A Disability Representative Can Help!

As your disability representative, I will know your case from start to finish. We’ll be involved every step of the way, and you’ll speak to the same person every time (me!).

For that reason, I don’t just fine-tune what you have and put it together in a cut-and-paste format. I’ll meticulously review your case and provide feedback on the weak areas of your application and offer clear directions on what information we need and where you can find them.

Whether you’ve already begun the application process or are just getting started, we encourage you to schedule a FREE consultation to help determine the best strategy for your case. Our mission is to eliminate the red tape and mountains of paperwork so you can focus on your health and the things that matter.

⏰ Schedule an appointment from anywhere in the US! 📱

Written by Roy, a dedicated Disability Representative, has been advocating for individuals seeking disability-based programs since 2003. With his background working for the government, Roy brings a deep commitment to improving assistance programs for those in need.

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