Social Security Disability Good Cause for Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment

In general, a Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income claimant will be found not disabled if they fail, without good cause, to follow prescribed treatment that can restore the ability to work.  However, the Social Security Administration will consider a claimant’s mental limitations when determining if they have good cause for not following prescribed treatment.  A claimant can have good cause for not following prescribed treatment when they have a psychiatric impairment and that impairment causes their refusal to follow prescribed treatment.  (HALLEX II-5-3-1, updated June 7, 2021.)