How to Pass a Psychological Evaluation for SSI
If you apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a mental disorder, the U.S. Social Security Administration will request copies of your medical records from treatment providers. If they want more information about your condition and how it interferes with your ability to work, they may ask you to undergo a psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist of their choosing at their expense. The evaluator does not determine whether or not you can get SSI but the Social Security Administration does take the results of the evaluation into account when deciding your case.
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Instructions
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Review the eligibility criteria the Social Security Administration uses to determine if your psychological condition is disabling and qualifies you for SSI (see link in Resource section). During your psychological evaluation, explain to the evaluator how you meet the criteria. Give specific examples. For instance, don't just say that your depression interferes with your ability to do activities of daily living; say that due to your depression you only shower once or twice a week because you don't have enough energy to do it more often.
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Speak honestly with the evaluator. Don't exaggerate your symptoms or lie about your condition, but don't leave anything out either. Even if you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed discussing it, tell your evaluator the truth.
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Take any records from past treatment providers with you to your evaluation. The evaluator may not want to see them as he may prefer to simply form his own opinion. However, he may agree to consider your past records and they may help you pass the evaluation for SSI.
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Write down anything you think the evaluator really needs to know about you and take a list of important things to discuss with you to the evaluation. The evaluator will have his own list of questions for you and may have some tests to perform, but you can add any information you think is important if the evaluator does not ask about it.
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References
Resources
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