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HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR DISABILITY HEARING

After 20 years in disability practice I firmly believe that Social Security hearings are won in preparation for the hearing, not so much in the hearing itself. 

It's important to know how to prepare and what to prepare for. 

I always prepare my clients to discuss the following areas in their hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ):

  • PERSONAL LIFE.  Your family, where you live, your education, what your daily routines are--and what your life was like before you became disabled.
  • YOUR PAST WORK.  The judge needs to understand your past work--what you did--was it a standing job  or sit-down job, and how much did you lift on each job?  What struggles did each job present physically or mentally that made it difficult for you to keep working? Why did you stop working?
  •  YOUR MEDICAL CONDITIONS (IMPAIRMENTS) - When did each impairment begin?  What symptoms do your conditions present?  How severe is each impairment in terms of pain, mobility, reaching, sitting, standing, handling, bending, remembering, concentrating, etc.?
  • YOUR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.  What activities can you no longer perform?  What activities can you perform with help?  What type of help do you need?  Are you restricted in such activities as sitting, walking, bending, reaching, grasping, lifting, remembering, concentrating, or following instructions?  The judge will use these restrictions to estimate what restrictions or difficulty you may experience in the workplace.
In addition to asking you questions that will help the judge understand your situation, I will also be prepared to ask the right questions to the Vocational Expert (VE).  And I will be prepared to make necessary legal arguments on how you meet the government's requirements for benefits.  Do you meet or equal a Listing?  Does a Medical-Vocational Guideline (grid rule) apply?  Did your disability begin prior to your Date Last Insured (DLI)?  I want to make it as easy as possible for the judge to give you a Fully Favorable decision!
 
Having represented claimants at hundreds of hearings has prepared me to offer vigorous representation designed to produce a successful outcome.  The most successful outcome, to me, is maximum back pay, a regular monthly check and the fastest possible Medicare health insurance benefits. 

The Forsythe Firm welcomes the opportunity to join your disability team at any stage -- from the original application to the appeal process.  We're only a free phone call away, from anywhere in Alabama or Tennessee. (256) 799-0297.
 
 

 

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