I think thats a little bit paranoid thinking. They don't even have time to get all the claims done in a timly manner. I really dont think they have time to spy on us.... I'd like to see them take a picture of my depression.

I know on one of the other boards, someone said that they were being spied on, but it was from disability insurance from their work, not SSDI.
I do know that alot of companies do send "spies" and take pictures and video's making sure someone who is off work because of a back back isnt out their working on a roof or cutting the grass. Social Security doesnt have the manpower or money to spy on us. I hope this eases your tension a little.
Take care
Jan

I know on one of the other boards, someone said that they were being spied on, but it was from disability insurance from their work, not SSDI.
I do know that alot of companies do send "spies" and take pictures and video's making sure someone who is off work because of a back back isnt out their working on a roof or cutting the grass. Social Security doesnt have the manpower or money to spy on us. I hope this eases your tension a little.
Take care
Jan

Actually, they have been known to check up on disability claimants. However, this is usually after they have received a call from someone (neighbor, frenemy, anyone else with a grudge, etc.) who reports that a claimant is faking their disability. I saw a news show about 10+ years ago. I believe it was John Stossel with 20/20 and they accompanied SSA disability investigators who were following up on disability claimants. One man in particular, who was on disability for a back impairment, WAS roofing his house. If I remember correctly the show segment was called "The Fleecing of America." I personally was disgusted with what I saw. It is my honest belief that it happens much more than we know and that it is those claimants who make it so damn difficult for the rest of us who truly are disabled. Having said that, I don't think any of us need worry about big brother snapping our pictures as we live our lives and if they did, they'd plainly see that we have nothing to hide. And for those who do have something to hide.... I hope they get caught committing this fraud since as I said, it is THOSE fakes that make our lives so difficult. Now... as I sit on my front porch sipping my coffee, on those wonderfully warm days that are coming soon, I just hope they get my good side, lol.

Take care all and God bless!

I used to work in word processing for an investigative agency that did work 'spying' on people who were suing insurance companies or claiming disabilities from insruance.. They would film them doing things like dancing, washing their cars, etc. Social Security doesn't have the manpower to do anything like that.

I agree that this is usually done when there is an insurance co involved.

Don't worry.

I think after you are approved for SSDI you have to keep them current with your medical condition as well. I agree faith, they do check up on calls from people reporting fraud as well they should.

This was odd...yesterday, I was out spraying the weeds in my flower beds, and a man in a car, with some cleaning business advertised on the side of it, pulled up and sat across the street for a few minutes. I thought maybe he was going to go in the vacant house for sale and clean it, but he never stepped out of his car, just seemed to be writing when I looked at him.

This struck me as odd...as my Hearing is on Monday.

My weeds do show my neglect in taking care of the flower beds, there are NO flowers, only weeds, and I mean TONS of weeds, tall, prickly weeds. I rarely get out and do things, but yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day...and the weeds were bugging me...just had me thinking, could this be someone from SSD? Probably not...but can't explain why he was there...well, maybe he was calling about that house for sale...that could be an answer!

Please pray for my approval at my Hearing on Monday! Thanks!

I've been paranoid about the whole thing. My doctor told me that I should get outside for at least 20 minutes a day to help with my depression. I've been living like a prisoner in my own house for the past 2 years. I dont even put the shades up any more. Im terrified to even sit on my deck in fear that the SSA is going to see me and think i'm enjoying myself. I'm disabled, but not dead. I'd really like to know the "rules" if there are any in terms of just how far they can go in watching your private life.

I'm sure mine was just nervous paranoia...there was another car that was obviously driving by and looking at the house for sale today...maybe they dropped their price, or have it advertised this week...

If you've already been approved, I think you're safe. SSA can't expect you to live like a hermit. Plus, getting outside WILL help with your depression, you need the Vitamin D...that's being shown to be important in healing depression! I take a Calcium + Vitamin D supplement, but the sunshine is the best form!

And, if you're in the approval process, I don't think they'd be spying on you.

Worker's Comp, Long-Term Disability plans from work or in lawsuits...those are the ones that I can see that might 'spy' on you.

Relax...go grab some Sunshine! I'm heading out behind you!! The Weather is getting beautiful!

I am currently on Long term disability from work, that is what i'm worried about.

Ahhh....well, they still can't expect to be locked in your home all day.

Have you applied for SSD yet?

Yes, I applied to SSDI a month ago, so I've got a long road ahead of me. As long as I can continue to prove my disabled status, my long term disability from work will cover me until my SSDI kicks in. That is my only source of income. I'm single and a parent of 2. Without those payments, we would be homeless. I've been on it 9 months and been terminted 4 times. I keep having to appeat to get reapproved. Its a nightmare. My lawyer told me long term disability through work or private policies is 10 times harder to get and maintain than SSDI because its privately funded, where SSDI is something we paid into, so we are getting our own money back. I have to see their doctors and mine once every 30 days.

I have been on Disability for 20 months for Bladder Cancer. I am very limited to certain activities, unable to stand or sit in a chair for very long without extreme pain. I have had ten surgeries thus far. I am up for review by Social Security, which I guess is common. I was out today clipping a bush that has over grown for ten minutes when I noticed a car in the middle of the street in our residential neighborhood pointing his car right at me. SSDI spy? I mean does the SSDI have that much money and time to spend spying on me? I keep thinking if they can find me employment where I can work for 15-30 minutes per day, and earn the same amount of money I am receiving that would be excellent. According to them they say the doctors make the decision. Should I worry that I am being investigated?

Thank you!

Jark, SSA does Not send people out to spy on beneficiaries. If there is a problem, they contact you directly.

Are you receiving Short of Long Term Disability Insurance ? These companies do send people out to spy on you. Workmans comp also sends people out to spy.

Adjudicators and ALJ's make the decisions. Doctors opinions are part of the puzzle. Doctors do not make the decision. But their opinions carry weight.

If SSA has reason to believe you might be able to work, they will send you a long form CDR. Everyone gets a CDR, at intervals. But SSA can do a CDR at any time.. Some CDR's are short forms, where SSA does not do a full review and some are long forms where they do.

With long forms, SSA gets copies of your medical records and they send you the same forms to fill out they sent when you first applied. If the evidence shows you can perform SGA, which in 2016 is $1,130 a month before any deductions working jobs in the national economy., they will stop your monthly benefits. It is not SSA's job to find you a job.. If SSA finds you are no longer disabled according to their criteria, you will have 10 days to appeal the decision, if you want to continue receiving benefits while your case is on appeal. If you don't want to continue to receive benefits while under appeal, you will have 60 days to appeal. If the case goes to an ALJ it is best to hire and attorney. It is difficult to find attorneys that handle cessation cases because there is no back pay. The average cost for an attorney for a cessation case is about $2,000 paid up front.