Key Points About A Social Security Disability HearingArguably the most important thing anyone who is facing a social security hearing can consider is how vital a good attorney is. Although this really goes without saying, many individuals don't want to bear the cost of a lawyer and as such believe they can handle the disability hearing on their own. This typically results in a denial of their claim because they are unprepared. Having a competent and experienced attorney is worth every penny in this case. It's important to note that almost every attorney who works exclusively in the area of social security law does so on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney only collects when the case is won. Obviously this provides an impetus for him or her to work harder to win the case. The amount of time spent waiting for a hearing date can seem endless. Many people begin their claim for social security disability benefits and don't actually end up in front of the Administrative Law Judge for several years. This can be discouraging but it's important to note that being in front of the judge affords the best opportunity for success. The case can be argued eloquently by a skilled attorney and the judge has a chance to see the claimant in person. An hour is the average time devoted to each disability case that is heard. The reason being there most judges hear many of these types of cases each day and in order for the process to run smoothly, each case needs to be succinct and presented in an efficient way. Claimants don't need to dress up to attend this type of court proceeding although it's advisable that they be presentable. Attorneys will typically go over the steps involved in the court proceeding with their client before the actual day of the hearing. Although the claimant is likely to be nervous during the proceedings it's important that he or she remain calm. Being prepared is something that every disability attorney strives to be. Therefore he or she is likely to request all available medical records from the claimant. These are vitally important as they can weigh heavily in the final decision of the judge. The claimant must also attend all medical treatments and appointments as prescribed by their doctor. If a judge notices that the claimant doesn't go to physical therapy or regularly skips doctor's appointments this shines a negative light on them and can impact their claim. Although the claimant may feel intimidated by the idea of appearing before a judge they need to keep in mind how important their SSI or SSDI claim is to their lives and to the lives of their family members. This will help them feel confident when they step before the judge. |