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WHAT YOU SAID VS. WHAT THE JUDGE HEARD

Here, I will give some common remarks made in disability hearings.  After each remark, I will give you what the judge hears.

1.  I can't find any work.  No one will hire me.

The judge hears:  "I could work if I could find some work.  I have employment problems but disability would tide me over 'til I find a job." 

2.  I quit my last job after having a fight with my boss.

The judge hears:  "I'm a little hard to get along with; I could be working if it'd just bit my lip and held my temper."

3.     I know people getting disability benefits who are not nearly as sick as I am.

The Judge hears:  "All you idiots at Social Security just throw money away to people who don't deserve it but you pick on me."  (Guaranteed to make the judge mad).

  4.  I do chores around my house and go for walks; I can drive and I shop once a week."

The judge hears:  "I'm not as active as I was when I was 18, but I'm doing pretty well and able to do most things (some disability benefits would sure be nice, though, if they're giving some away)!

5.  I can't even do simple sit-down type jobs any more.?

The judge hears:  "Nobody can live on one of those minimum wage jobs; who wants a job like that?"

6.  My anxiety is so bad, just the thought of leaving my house throws me into panic attacks."

The Judge Hears:  "The very idea of getting up every morning and going to work is just more than I can bear."

 

 


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