The Potential Impacts of Social Media on Social Security Disability Eligibility

Social Media has impacted our lives greatly. The ability to stay connected with one another has improved with social media, but many dangers have been revealed as well. Posting where you are and what you are doing can make you vulnerable to predators. It can also create a lasting impression of you on those who you may not have thought were paying attention, like your employer, an attorney or the Social Security Administration. Concerning litigation, social media posts can provide proof of your whereabouts before, during or after an incident, and this shared information can be used against you. The Social Security Administration and the Trump Administration have been working on a proposal that allows the Social Security Administration to look at the social media platforms of claimants. This action would be a part of the investigative process to determine claimants’ social security disability eligibility. Fraud has been a big concern for the Trump Administration from voter fraud to social security fraud, so this is an effort to come down on social security disability fraud. What does this mean for SSI and SSDI claimants? This could mean that if Social Security finds any evidence that you are not disabled on your social media platform, it can be used to deny or revoke your claim for benefits. This proposal has not yet been formally brought fourth, but it is something to be watchful of. This could create one more hurdle to jump over in the already lengthy and obstacle filled process of applying for social security disability benefits.