Everything You Need To Know About Your Next SSA Psychological Exam

After you submit your claim, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may need more information before you receive benefits. If that’s the case, the SSA may ask you to undergo a psychological exam to assess your condition further. Understanding how these evaluations work and what you need for them will help you navigate the process smoothly.

How Does An SSA Psychological Exam Work?

An SSA psychological examination refers to a mental health evaluation that lets examiners further analyze your health condition, and it can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. They’re especially helpful if you don’t have a long history of mental illness or to further verify if your condition will prevent you from finding work in the future.

In most cases, the SSA will use a third-party mental health professional like your personal psychologist to administer the test. This step is necessary to prevent an unfair evaluation that may hurt your claim.

What Type Of Questions Will The Examiner Ask You?

The information you’ll need to provide will depend on your condition. However, some common questions will revolve around the following:

• Your current symptoms and how they have affected your life
• If you have a history of substance abuse
• Your family’s history
• Your medical history
• If you’ve received treatment for your condition before
• What your daily routine looks like
• If you’re currently on any medications related to your condition

Examiners have the skills to detect any inconsistencies in your behavior, so always answer the questions truthfully during your evaluation for the best outcome. Getting defensive or lying to the examiner can result in your benefits being denied.

What Do You Need For Your Examination? 

Remember that the doctor will analyze your behavior, appearance, and overall well-being when you go in for your psychological exam. Always show up on time and be completely honest with the examiner. You should also be ready to give detailed information about your current medical condition and how it has prevented you from finding long-term work.

Additionally, you must appear on the assigned date or reschedule as soon as possible. Not showing up to an evaluation can also lead to the SSA rejecting your claim, so you need to update them about any prior commitments.

Our Attorneys Will Help You Win The SSDI Benefits You Deserve

There’s no reason to be alarmed if the SSA has sent you for a psychological exam, especially if you know what to expect. All you need to do is stay calm and answer the examiner’s questions truthfully throughout the evaluation. Our social security disability lawyers are also here to help you organize your information and ensure you won’t forget critical details about your case.

Our attorneys at Turley Redmond & Rosasco have helped many customers file their SSDI claims and win the benefits they’re entitled to. Please call our office at 855-813-3344 or contact us online if you have any questions about your case or want to schedule a free trial consultation today.