How Identity Theft Can Impact A Claim For SSA Disability Benefits
Jan. 5, 2024
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you are essentially telling the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your medical conditions are preventing you from working.
If you are a victim of identity theft, another person may be using your social security number to report earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or other governmental agencies. Whereas, those earnings may be reported on your social security number, and it will appear to SSA that you are still working while trying to obtain disability benefits.
If you have been made aware that someone is using your social security number, then you should immediately report the identity theft to SSA, IRS, any other government agencies that you receive assistance, and the credit reporting companies. When you have filed a claim for SDI and/or SSI, you have the burden of proof to show that the earnings were the result of identity fraud. Therefore, be sure to keep copies of all the documents that you have obtained when reporting the identity theft.
Attorney Bernt L. Klender has been representing Disabled Individuals throughout the United States for over 20 years.