subject: How Your Use Of Social Media Websites Can Undermine Your Ssdi Claim [print this page] Social Media friend or foe? Social Media friend or foe?
Media which has been designed in order to be disseminated by virtue of social interaction is oftentimes referred to as social media. Highly accessible and scalable techniques are used in the publishing of these media and they feature web-based technologies in order to transform and then broadcast media dialogues into ones that are social media. Content consumers can become content producers because social media supports the democratization of both information and knowledge.
Despite the above, if you are currently in the SSDI application process and are trying to receive disability benefits, using social media may not be a wise move. If your profile at one of these social media websites indicates information which contradicts your claim for social security disability, and then somehow falls in the wrong hands, it could damage your claim and you may be denied the SSDI benefits you feel you deserve and need.
Some considerations where using social media is concerned
First and foremost, you need to be aware as to how powerful using social media can be. Be very careful and learn who your followers are. In other words, dont just trust anyone who comes to you and wants to be part of your contact or friends list. Your friends could turn out to be your worst enemies. Here is a scary thought. One of the people on that friends list might be the ALJ or judge who is hearing your disability case.
In addition to the above, you may want to consider that past and present fellow employees or employers, estranged members of your family, and even former spouses or partners could also damage you via that social interaction. If you have posted that you are suffering from a medical or mental condition, and that you have applied for SSDI benefits, dont post comments regarding talking a martial arts class or wandering around an amusement park for hours.
These will grossly contradict the information you have included in your disability claim and can negatively influence the judge or ALJs decision. Remember two things where social media and filing for a disability claim are concerned. First, an accurate and true representation of what has limited your abilities to work and perform household tasks should always be included in your claim when you apply for benefits. Secondly, always make sure that if you are going to get involved in a social media site that you monitor and adjust your privacy settings to protect you.
