Mental exams are sessions between a disability claimant and a Social Security Administration (SSA) psychologist. Every year, the Social Security Administration requests mental exams for thousands of claimants. But why does the SSA request these exams?
The SSA requests mental exams if it finds that it needs additional information in a disability claim that may or may not be based on a mental illness. This is because the SSA is obligated to explore the possibility of approval based on mental illness.
Continue reading for more information on why the SSA requires mental exams and how you can prepare for them.
Types of SSDI Mental Exams
The reason why Social Security is sending you for a mental assessment will determine the type of test that you will be required to undergo.
For instance, a person who suffers from severe panic episodes will require a different type of evaluation than someone who has borderline intellectual functioning.
Mental Status Exams
A mental status exam (MSE) assesses your present mental state by examining your memory, language abilities, awareness, and mood.
Among the many possible tasks that could be presented to you during an MSE are recalling items from a list, counting backward from three, naming the current president, providing information about your childhood, and interpreting a series of visuals.
Psychiatric Exams
These mental exams are typically administered by psychiatrists (doctors with an M.D. degree) instead of psychologists (doctors with a Ph.D. degree) to individuals who are being evaluated for affective or mood disorders, for example, schizophrenia or depression.
Psychological Exams
These tests are used to evaluate applicants who demonstrate mental symptoms that point to impaired cognitive function, including a low IQ.
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th revision) is a common assessment tool for adults, while the WISC and WPPSI are comparable tools for children.
Memory Exams
The memory test, which is also known as the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), is used to evaluate claimants who have reported experiencing short-term memory loss. This includes those with a history of stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Of the four types of mental exams, MSEs are the most commonly administered.
The majority of claimants are sent MSEs when their treating physician even makes a passing reference to a mental health problem in their records. If there is the smallest evidence of a mental health condition, disability examiners must evaluate the potential approval of a claim based on a mental disorder.
Why is SSDI Requiring a Mental Exam?
If the SSA determines that additional information is required to support your claim for disability benefits, they may refer you to an internist, psychologist, or psychiatrist for a mental status exam.
The Social Security Administration will also send you in for a psychological evaluation if you state that mental illness is an essential aspect of your disability claim. You may, however, be required to undergo a mental state evaluation even if you do not assert that a mental disorder is the basis for your disability claim.
This may occur if you have mentioned mental health issues like depression or anxiety in your application or if your personal doctor has mentioned these conditions in any way in their treatment notes.
If the SSA has any reason to suspect that you may be suffering from a mental health issue, they must look into the possibility of a claim based on a mental impairment.
A mental status exam request is not necessarily a negative thing. Once you apply for benefits, the Social Security Administration must take into account all of your limitations.
Many people mistakenly believe that to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, applicants must have a single impairment, whether it be mental or physical. This is completely false. During a disability evaluation, it is necessary to take into consideration other conditions, such as anxiety.
Our recommendation is not to be defensive or dismissive of your mental health problems or be afraid of any kind of stigma. These tests are standard procedures. The Social Security Administration requests mental health exams for thousands of individuals applying for disability benefits annually.
What Happens During an SSDI Mental Exam?
The Social Security Administration is required to set up and pay for the test at no cost to you. Although the agency expects psychological and comprehensive psychiatric tests to last at least 40 and 60 minutes, respectively, the actual length of your mental exam can be more or less than that.
A consultative examination is a single appointment with a mental health professional.
Your doctor will inquire about your social and medical history to help the SSA understand your mental limits while also helping fill any gaps in your disability application.
While most mental status examinations just require you to answer questions, some psychological and psychiatric exams may also include logic games or basic puzzles.
What to Expect After a Mental Exam
The doctor who examined your mental health will submit a written report to the Disability Determination Services in your state (the agency that determines Social Security disability benefits) no later than ten days following the exam.
The report will include the doctor’s assessment of your mental condition, including:
- Type and severity of the condition
- Your ability to recall and follow instructions,
- Your ability to focus and complete tasks at a regular pace,
- Your ability to interact with bosses and colleagues,
- Your ability to handle the pressures of work
Your disability record will be updated with the doctor’s opinion, and a claims examiner will consider whether or not any limitations should be included in your residual functional capacity. Social Security considers your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) when determining your ability to work.
For instance, if the physician who evaluated you does not believe that your mental health prevents you from working full-time (and you do not have any medical documents that are helpful), your claim will most likely be rejected.
On the other hand, the claims examiner is more likely to grant your disability claim if the evaluating physician states that you are unable to carry out even basic work-related duties and if your other medical records confirm this statement.
What to Bring to the Mental Health Exam
During the consultative exam, you and the psychologist will likely spend the majority of the session discussing your mental health history. You will also be asked to discuss the symptoms you are now experiencing and how they are affecting your day-to-day life.
Having said that, the physician must first authenticate your identity to ensure that you are the person who is making the claim. Therefore, in order to take the mental exam, you will need to bring along a government-issued photo ID.
The SSA will also provide you with documentation that outlines the time, date, and location of the mental health examination.
It is recommended to bring that documentation to the examination. Last but not least, we strongly suggest that you bring a copy of your mental health records with you to the examination.
For instance, you can provide the doctor with a copy of your previous psychological examination, if you have one. You could also bring any progress reports that your counselor has provided to you. You may also want to bring a note from your doctor or other treating source that confirms your mental health diagnosis.
Questions Asked During a SSDI Mental Exam
The examiner at your mental health exam will mainly inquire about your mental health condition. They will then examine your diagnosis and discuss whether or not it affects your ability to work.
It is important to provide the following details to the psychologist:
Medical History
The psychologist will want to know if you’ve previously had therapy for a specific mental condition and whether your symptoms are very severe in nature.
Family History
The psychologist will be interested in hearing about your relationships with your family and friends.
Academic History
You are going to be questioned about the level of education you have. Make sure to inform the psychologist if you were enrolled in special education or needed any kind of academic assistance, such as homeschooling or tutors.
Past Relevant Work
You will be questioned about your previous employment as well as any mental health issues that you had while you were employed. For instance, have you ever experienced panic attacks when you were working? Did you have any difficulties getting along with others? Were you unable to focus on your job because of your mental illness? Have your mental problems ever led to your dismissal from a job?
Other Information Required for the Mental Exam
You must provide the psychologist or psychiatrist with a detailed account of your current and previous medical conditions. Avoid forgetting anything important by making a note of it and bringing it with you. Be sure to record the following in your medical history:
- the medications you are currently taking,
- any hospitalizations you have had in the past, and the dates of those stays
- procedures you’ve undergone and the outcomes of those procedures
- the names and dates of any assisted living facilities you have lived in,
- any prior diagnoses you may have had,
- any relevant criminal records
Best Way to Prepare for The SSDI Mental Exam
SSDI mental exams can be stressful, but you can better prepare for them by following the tips below:
Gather Your Documents
It is necessary to gather all the medical documentation you need to take along with you ahead of time. The only thing worse than feeling anxious about a mental exam is realizing you have to find some documents at the last minute.
Avoid this situation by preparing a file that contains all of your relevant documents, including government-issued ID cards and any medical records you may need to refer to.
Be Concise and Specific
Most of your disability mental exam will involve you answering the examiner’s questions. When answering these questions, make sure you are precise and able to convey exactly what the examiner is looking for.
Do not exaggerate your symptoms; instead, be specific when describing how they impact your day-to-day activities.
For example, if you are asked whether you got along with others at your previous employment, a yes or no will not suffice. Instead, you should describe specific instances where you faced difficulties maintaining a close relationship with your colleagues.
Go Over Your Medical and Work History
Before you head to the mental exam, make sure to review your medical and work history details. It is likely you are already familiar with this information, but reviewing it beforehand can help you bring more clarity to your answers to the examiner.
Consult a SSDI Attorney
Although it is not necessary, we highly recommend consulting a disability attorney who can help you prepare for your mental exam. These attorneys are very familiar with the ins and outs of the Social Security system.
They will make sure you know exactly what you need to convey to the examiner during your mental exam. They will also help you prepare all the documents you need to take along with you.
What Can Disqualify You for Benefits?
In order to be eligible for disability benefits, you must have either a mental or physical impairment, or in certain instances, both, and you must not be participating in what the Social Security Administration refers to as substantial gainful activity.
In 2023, if your income was higher than $1,470 (or $2,460 if you are blind), then you are considered to be participating in substantial gainful activity.
The SGA amount for persons with disabilities other than blindness is $1,550 per month in 2024.
For persons who are blind, the amount of earnings that indicate SGA is $2,590 per month in 2024.
If the disability examiner finds any evidence that points to you participating in SGA or not having a severe disability that will prevent you from working for a minimum of 12 months, then your claim for disability benefits will likely not be approved.
Conclusion
So, if the SSA requires you to undergo a mental exam, you shouldn’t be too worried. In fact, try to prepare yourself for the exam with important documentation and information that can help strengthen your case.
