Your Facebook Or Twitter Updates Could Threaten Your Social Security Disability Case

Did you know that social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter could get you in hot water when it comes to your Social Security disability benefits? Unfortunately, what you say on these public online forums could be used against you.

In one recent case, a woman who collected Social Security disability benefits wrote on a dating site that she “thinks about sex 1440 times a day.” While it is certainly important for disabled persons to have healthy sex lives, this statement could easily be interpreted to mean that the woman is able-bodied and able to work. Unfortunately, many people out there may want to believe you are faking your injury or trying to get out of work and could report you for what you say online. Whether an ex-spouse or someone else you might have had a falling out with, those who think you shouldn’t be receiving the disability benefits you need and deserve could report you after reading an online update on Facebook, a blog, or a dating site.

How can you best protect against this issue? The best step you can take is to understand how privacy settings work on social networking sites and set your privacy levels so that only understanding friends and relatives can read your updates. An even safer step to take is not to share personal information on the web at all. It is a shame that some might be resentful or unbelieving of your disability – no matter what it is – but the bottom line is that disabled people must protect what they say online. While there may be some people taking advantage of the Social Security system and engaging in fraudulent claims, the vast majority of those collecting disability are truly injured or sick individuals who need support. Unfortunately, some disabled people may be accused of lying or exaggerating their condition to benefit.

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