I’ve been representing people on Social Security claims for almost 30 years. In the development of a person’s claim for disability benefits, they are often asked to go see a social security doctor. The Social Security administration may believe there is insufficient evidence for an alleged condition, or as part of their standard reviews, either way, they often request that a person see a “consultative evaluator”. Generally, these consultative evaluations (CE’s) are for either Physical issues or Mental health issues.
When one of my clients is directed to go to see a Social Security doctor, (CE), common questions asked include: How should I dress? or How should I conduct myself? I generally answer: Look old and tired!
When I say this, people think that I am joking, but I am not! When further asked, people say things like “But I never leave my home without my make-up on?” or “I don’t have to take my cane do I?” The answer to these questions is always the same: YES!
Remember, when you file for Social Security disability you are saying to Social Security that you are not able to hold a job, any job…… Therefore, you should NOT appear or act like you are totally healthy and normal with no issues. This would be contrary to your allegation of being completely unable to work….
So on the day of the examination with the social security CE, a person should not present themselves as a strong healthy employable person. They should appear the exact opposite. They should look tired, frail, unsteady and generally not strong and healthy. In other words: unemployable.
Ultimately, a person will choose how they wish to present, but for certain, a person’s Social Security consultative evaluation report will generally begin one of two ways:
1. The claimant appeared timely, was neat, groomed, dressed appropriately and in no apparent distress….
OR
2. The claimant appeared timely, was unkempt, agitated and walked slowly appearing to be in distress.
If YOU had to choose: Which of the two people above would appear to be employable and which would appear to be unemployable based only on their initial appearances?