What to Expect at a SSDI Benefits Hearing
January 31st, 2012 tmccoy
http://lvs-yourlawyer.s3.amazonaws.com/15-yourlawyer-ir-what-to-expect-security-disability-hearing.mp4
Social Security Disability benefits are paid to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. If you’ve applied for these benefits and you’ve been denied, you will need to attend a hearing. A good lawyer can help you plan for this hearing so that your documents are in order and so that you can clearly and confidently explain why you cannot work and need these benefits to support yourself.
It can take a long time to get an SSDI hearing. When the day comes, it is very important that you arrive prepared and on time. Be sure that you know where the hearing will be held. Allow extra time to get to the hearing, including enough time for public transportation, parking, disability access, weather or any other unexpected factors.
For the hearing, your attorney will prepare a legal brief for the judge. Your attorney will also present the medical evidence needed to prove your case. Then it will be time for you to give your testimony.
The judge will have you swear to tell the truth. You will be asked some simple questions about your name, age, address and education. You will be asked to talk about your work history and to describe the kinds of jobs you’ve had in the past. Most importantly, you will need to tell the judge why you are currently not able to work.
When doing this, you do not need to use sophistical medical terms; you just need to present the case so that the judge can understand why you cannot work. You are in pain; you are out of work; you cannot pay your bills. You need to put a sympathetic human face on the medical records that the judge has reviewed.
To learn more about your upcoming SSDI hearing, I encourage you to watch the video above and to explore our educational website at http://yourlawyer.com. If you have legal questions, please pick up the phone and give me a call at 1-800-800-9797.
