Can a potential employer see that I was on disablity within the last 12 months(I know itslong but please read)

See I took short term disablity to go to rehab (opiates addiction from a car accident many years ago). But I have since left the position I was at b/c that was at least a contributing factor to my addiction since I was getting the pills from a co worker. Anyway, I am h aving an extremely tough time finding a job, and I SHOULDNT be!!!! What I mean is I have had 3-4 companies ask if I could be at a store meeting right after theymake me an offer. THEN the offer never comes and they wont take my calls. Someone told me perspective companys can tell if you have been on disablity within the last 12-24 months is that true... ANY help on this would be greatly greatly appreciated. thanks for reading all of this, soooo sorry for it being so long....

yes they can run your name or social thru a insuarnce data base that is national, most of them share information with each other also if they are running a background check it may come up on your credit report,

Yes, they can, and I'll tell you how, and I'll give you some advice.

The gap of employment, is what gives it away, and if you put down that you were still employed with a company, you weren't, if you were on disability. This is usually discovered on a simple reference check.

They can also give the reason for you leaving the company, which is medical leave, and you didn't return. That isn't illegal, it's factual, and 100% legal to disclose.

If you have ever failed a drug test at your previous job, they can obtain the information as well. There is also a few small (but rapidly growing) databases where employers can actually run a check to see if you have failed a drug test with ANY company before. That can bar you from employment consideration.

A perspective employer CANNOT LEGALLY ask you if you have EVER been on disability or any other question about your healthcare.

What I would recommend, is have a trusted friend that is experienced in verifying employment to do a check on you herself...and find out what these HR departments are willing to disclose.

That is a good way to 'bust' a former employer that may be disclosing illegal information.

Good luck to you. I had a friend once that was in a burn center for a year and was given heavy doses of morphine the entire time...when she was released, she started doing heroine (b/c your body will accept it as a substitute and it's easier to get)...it was sad because she would have never engaged in drugs otherwise, but she never could kick the habit.

She was a graduate of the Julliard School of Music in New York...she was that talented.

To me, it's the only type of drug addiction that I can understand...b/c it wasn't your fault you were addicted to start with. It happens.

PS: An employer CANNOT run your name through an insurance database...that's illegal. Only other insurance companies can, and illegal for them to disclose that information to a potential employer.