Wisconsin Disability Blog

This article from today’s LaCrosse Tribune reports that a woman from western Wisconsin was sentenced after pleading guilty to providing false information to the Social Security Administration in connection with a claim for disability benefits.  I frequently advise my clients that the the worst thing they can do in the pursuit of a Social Security disability claim is to provide false information to the Social Security Administration.  As this woman learned, it is a federal offense that can result in prosecution and imprisonment.  Moreover, even if you are not prosecuted, a lie to Social Security in the disability process will usually be detected.  A lie may be be contradicted by a claimaint’s medical records, earnings record, or other sources.  If you are caught in a lie, your credibility will be irreparably damaged.  In many (most) cases whether you receive benefits will hinge in one way or another on someone’s (e.g., a judge,  doctor,  or disability examiner) assessment of your credibility as it relates to the conditions and symptoms that render you disabled.  So the bottom line is that you must be completely truthful in your interactions with the Social Security Administration…and for that matter with your disability lawyer.