Why Do I Need to Go to a Consultative Examination for Social Security?

If you are applying for social security disability benefits, when your claim is being reviewed by a claims examiner, you may be asked to undergo a consultative exam. So, what is a consultative exam and why would you have to do such a thing? Read on for more information.

What is a Consultative Examination?

A consultative examination is requested during the disability claims process to verify some aspect of your claim for disability or of your medical condition. The exam may be requested because:

• The SSA wants to verify you really are as disabled as you are claiming
• The SSA wants to verify the information provided by your doctor
• The SSA wants to get more information about the type of severity of your condition

In other words, the purpose of the exam is simply to find out more about the medical condition that you are claiming makes you unable to work and eligible for disability. You may be requested to undergo the examination with a doctor appointed or selected by social security. In some cases, you may be able to petition to choose your own doctor or to have your existing doctor perform the consultative exam.

Why Do You Need a Consultative Examination?

Social security disability benefits are intended to help those individuals who need the financial support due to a legitimate disability that renders them unable to work. SSA benefits are offered to those with serious disabilities only- those disabilities that interfere with your ability to work or lead a normal life. For example, the SSA has a blue book of qualifying disabilities such as terminal cancer and other equally serious illnesses that qualify you for disability. Generally, the disability must either be slated to last for two or more years and/or be fatal and must seriously impact your daily life.

Unfortunately, some people try to abuse the protections put into place by the SSA and try to get disability benefits when they don't meet these conditions. The consultative examination, and the other steps in the claims process, are thus all designed to ensure that you really do qualify for these funds and that you are deserving of the help provided by the SSA.

Getting Help

If you are asked to take a consultative examination, you should consult with a disability attorney who can help you understand what your rights are in regards to such an exam. Your disability attorney should help you throughout the process of applying for disability benefits to ensure that you get the best and fairest treatment possible by the SSA.