Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability Benefits?

What Is The Definition Of Disability Used By Social Security?

What Is The “One Year Rule”?

“Medically Determinable Impairments”: What Qualifies as a Disability?

What Is SSDI?

What Is The Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSDI) And Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Totally And Permanently Disabled

There is No “Partial Disability” With Social Security

Sequential Evaluation Process: Step 1

Sequential Evaluation Process: Step 2

Sequential Evaluation Process: Step 3

Sequential Evaluation Process: Step 4

Sequential Evaluation Process: Step 5

Who Decides If I Am Disabled?

Application For Disability Benefits

Disability Report-Adult

Work History Report

Function Report-Adult

How Do I Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits?

How Do I Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits?

How Long Do I Have To Apply Social Security Disability Benefits?

How Long Does An Application For Social Security Disability Take And What Are The Steps?

Report All Of Your Impairments

Disclose Any Mental Impairments You May Have

Get Medical Treatment

Keep Appointments And Deadlines

Evidence, Credibility, And Consistency

What Kind Of Evidence Is Used To Evaluate And Decide My Disability Benefit Claim?

Don’t Speak In Absolutes

What Can I Do To Improve My Chances Of Winning My Social Security Disability Claim?

Organize Yourself

Write Everything Down

Keep A Copy Of Everything

Don’t Mark Up Records

Don’t Try To Hide Things In Your Medical Records

Don’t Lie, Cheat, Or Commit Fraud

Don’t Guess

Don’t Exaggerate

Don’t Minimize

Take The Process Seriously

Be Polite And Courteous

Misconception 1: Everybody Is Denied At The Initial Application Phase

Misconception 2: SSA Will Help Me File For Free

Misconception 3: I Have To Be Unemployed Before I Can Qualify For SSD Benefits

Misconception 4: If I Receive Unemployment Benefits, I Can’T Apply For Or Receive SSD Benefits

Misconception 5: Putting Everything Into Hearing And Not Application

Misconception 6: Better To File Online

Misconception 7: Attorney Won’t Take Case Until Denied

Top Mistakes That Will Destroy An SSA Claim At The Initial Application Phase

Failing To Complete Your Disability Application

Waiting Too Long To File An Appeal

Failing To File An Appeal

Failing To File An Appeal On Time

Failing To Cooperate With The S.S.A.

Failing To Provide Supporting Medical Documents

Abusing Drugs And/Or Alcohol

Misrepresenting Material Facts

Omitting Material Facts

Failing to Follow Doctor’s Orders (Noncompliance)

Activities of Daily Living Do Not Match Alleged Impairments

My Social Security Disability Claim Was Denied What Do I Do Now?

What Should I Do If A Social Security Disability Claim Is Denied?

How Do I Appeal My Claim For SSD Or SSI Disability Benefits If It Is Denied?

Do I Have To Go Through Reconsideration?

How Long Does A Social Security Disability Or SSI Appeal Typically Take?

Arrive Early

Don’t Discuss Your Case With Strangers

The Hearing Room

Recording Equipment

Persons In The Hearing Room

SSA Hearings Are Informal (Casual)

Why We Have Hearings

The Administrative Law Judge

What Happens At A Social Security Disability Or SSI Disability Hearing?

Who Will Be At Social Security Disability Hearing?

What To Wear

The Procedural History / Case History

Order Of Questioning

Could You Return To Work? Why Not?

Questioning Of Medical Experts

What Are My Chances Of Winning At A Social Security Disability Hearing?

Basic Questions – Beginning Hearing

Work History

Only Answer Questions You Understand

If You Remember Nothing Else, Remember to Testify Truthfully

Approximating Dates (Concerning Work History, Medical Treatment, etc)

The Issue is Whether You Are Capable Of Working – Not Whether Work Is Available Or Easy To Get To

Your Medical History

Symptoms

Side Effects Of Medication

Pain (Classic 1-10 Scale)

How Long Pain Lasts

How The Intensity Of Your Pain Impacts Activities of Daily Living

Estimate Limitations

Provide Detail in Explaining Your Symptoms and Limitations

Another Example Of More Detail “How Long Can You Sit”

Mental Limitations-Symptoms

Mental Health Limitations

The Golden Question – Daily Activities

How Do You Care For Your Personal Needs?

When the Judge Asks, “Do You Have Anything Else To Say?”

Any Chance of Getting Decision at Hearing?

How Long Does It Take To Get A Decision?

Don’t Argue Your Case

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

Don’t Try To Play On The Judge’s Sympathy

Don’t Try To Demonstrate What A Good Person You Are

Don’t Explain You’ve Worked Your Entire Life

Don’t Engage In Dramatics

Don’t Give Irrelevant Testimony

Don’t Give Vague Answers

Don’t Exaggerate (Or Minimize) Symptoms

Don’t Ramble Or Go Off Subject

Don’t Answer A Question That Wasn’t Asked

Don’t Be Embarrassed

Don’t Interrupt The Judge

Treating Judge With Respect

Don’t “Double Up” On Or Deviate From Your Medication

Can You Do The Easiest Job You’Ve Had Within The Last 15 Years?

Receiving Unemployment Benefits While Applying for Disability

Looking For Work

Part Time Work Activity

Unsuccessful Work Attempts

Turn Your Cell Phone Off

Can You Speed Up The Process?

When You Receive Your Decision

How Long Until Payment?

If You Lose

Judge’s Request For More Information

Prior Work Activity And “Off The Books” Work Activity

“SGA” Includes Volunteer Work And School Work

Negotiating The Onset Date

Closed Period Of Benefits

Postponement For A Consultative Examination

Difference Between Disability And Retirement

Lay Witnesses

Smoking

ADLS

Demeanor

Drugs And Alcohol

Pay Attention To DDS Rationale

Check To See If Everything Submitted Is Part Of Claim File

Update Records If Necessary

Send Negative CE Reports To Your Treating Physician

Determine If Need For Consultative Exam

Review Records

Microphone–Speak Clearly

Work History

Can I Get A Second Disability Hearing If I Get Denied At My First Hearing?

What Happens To My Social Security Disability Benefits When I Reach Retirement Age?

Do I Really Have To Hire / Should I Hire An Attorney To Represent Me In My Social Security Disability Claim?

When Is The Best Time To Hire An SSA Attorney?

What Your Representative Does During The Hearing

How Do Attorneys Who Represent Social Security Disability Claimants Get Paid?