[lilly444]

New here, first post. Have been on SSDI for Bipolar 1 since 1997, I am 53 yrs old, have made it past several reviews. Review came up last June, I got notice this March that it failed and benefits were terminated. Hired an attorney, filed an appeal. Finally had my hearing today.
I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Hearing via video conference. One of my BP issues is paranoia. I've been feeling like I've been being followed for the past 6 months. Oh guess what? I have been. It was very upsetting for me to see a whole folder of photos of myself taken by investigators. They said I didn't look depressed enough. One photo I was putting my scarf on outside my car. You can determine how I'm feeling by this, HOW??
But yes, THIS is why I was denied benefits. They said I'm doing 'too well'. Drs medical records say my condition has not changed. (three different drs and an SSDI medical review)

One thing that has upset me tremendously is that a week after Christmas two men came to the house saying they were policemen/detectives and had to question me, saying I was a victim of ID theft. I was alone and very uncomfortable having two strange men in my home. I have prior history of sex. abuse. They asked me questions about where my husband and I had used OUR debit and credit cards for Christmas shopping. My husband does all our shopping. The report given to SSDI was that I gave a list of all the stores I go to 3-4x a week and all the places I socialize. I did not. I gave a list of all the places THE JOINT account was used (my husbands activities) because I was told it was ID theft. They had me look through books of mug shots. I had the flu at the time and I was just doing what I thought 'the police' asked of me. I was scared. I was worried because my dog was there and there had just been a story on the news about police shooting dogs, unprovoked. Told you, I suffer from paranoia. But why is it when I fill out my forms totally honest, they can come to my house and totally lie to me and scare me?

I am 53 yrs old with no education, no job skills and bipolar disorder. I am very upset. This has set me back big time. I am afraid to leave the house or open the door for anyone because of the people they sent here. WHY WHY do they not understand how damaging this can be for those of us with mental health conditions??

The lady at the hearing said I will know something in 10 days or so. I've been crying all day long.

I don't expect an answer from anyone here, just needed to talk. Thank you for anyone who read this.

[LIT LOVE]

So long as you're compliant with following your doctors prescribed treatment and taking all your meds, that is all you can do.

Considering you're bipolar, it would not be shocking for you to be photographed while manic, which is as disabling as being depressed.

Try to relax. If the worst case scenario happens and you are denied, you'll have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

[LIT LOVE]

I just wanted to note that prior to 2012, SS did not use Video Surveillance, but they do now for some beneficiaries during a CDR (and probably only during a Long Form CDR.)

Here's a good link explaining the change in policy: http://www.nickortizlaw.com/social-s.../surveillance/

[lilly444]

Thank you. My hearing was conducted via video conference. They didn't use any video surveillance for investigation. They had written reports from people who followed me around with a few photos but most of the photos were taken from my Facebook page. What I had to explain was the date photos were taken (15 yr old photos put on FB on 2012 weren't taken in 2012...) who was with me, etc... My husband was at the hearing and knew every photo. The hearing official said she wasn't happy with the investigators and tossed the file aside.

This has been a stressful year of this review and it's taking a toll. Im very depressed and don't want to leave my house now. I can't get a counselor appt this week and my dr is out of the country.

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by lilly444

Thank you. My hearing was conducted via video conference. They didn't use any video surveillance for investigation. They had written reports from people who followed me around with a few photos but most of the photos were taken from my Facebook page. What I had to explain was the date photos were taken (15 yr old photos put on FB on 2012 weren't taken in 2012...) who was with me, etc... My husband was at the hearing and knew every photo. The hearing official said she wasn't happy with the investigators and tossed the file aside.

This has been a stressful year of this review and it's taking a toll. Im very depressed and don't want to leave my house now. I can't get a counselor appt this week and my dr is out of the country.

I added my 2nd response for others that might read this later on since it's such a huge change in policy. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I wonder if the policy about Social Media has changed as well or if that was just rogue investigators?

Did they ever suggest someone called and reported that your condition had improved?

[lilly444]

Thank you. I'm sorry I misunderstood your second response. I'm very tired.

My attorney was very upset with how they 'cherry picked' (his words) my Facebook page. Hearing officer said she wasn't happy with the things they pulled out. My attorney asked and was told due to pressure to review in high numbers now that social media is being used heavily. Our Facebook pages, twitter, are all being supeoned (my fb pg had high privacy settings). They don't need our permission. We sign off on a form saying we agree SS can obtain any information they need to decide our case.

I have only had FB for 2 yrs. I use it to keep in touch with family who are all out of state. I didn't think I had anything to hide. I post photos of my dog and grandchildren. But things can be pulled out of context and used against you.

In hindsight, wish I had never been online ever, but that's probably not realistic. They also had online articles about me that proved to be totally fabricated (like I owned a business with 2 employees and made $70K last year) That was easy to prove completely false, but made me so upset and angry.

Apologies for the long post.
Simple answer... Yes, they can and do check your social media accounts and even email. All my accounts were checked.

Thank you for replies to me. I feel very beat up after that hearing.

[LIT LOVE]

Was it just outdated info or erroneous info on a website like LinkedIn? Or did someone actual fabricate something to make it look like you were committing fraud?

[lilly444]

It was all fabricated by investigators who are real homicide detectives in a nearby city. They work as private investigators on the side. It was proven that they made up a fake website and company then cut/ pasted my photo on it.
My husband said the judge was angry about it. I was crying.
I feel literally sick about this.

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by lilly444

It was all fabricated by investigators who are real homicide detectives in a nearby city. They work as private investigators on the side. It was proven that they made up a fake website and company then cut/ pasted my photo on it.
My husband said the judge was angry about it. I was crying.
I feel literally sick about this.

Why wouldn't they be prosecuted for manufacturing evidence???

Did your attorney threaten to go after them civilly?

[lilly444]

The judge said they're getting "aggressive". My attorney told me later they're allowed to lie all they want...that's why we have hearings and the chance to prove them wrong.

I think I need to wait on ruling and then look into it. I swear I may never trust anyone again.