In my practice, I always try to schedule an in-office, in-person meeting with my client prior to his/her hearing. Usually, I try to meet a week or two before the actual hearing date to discuss the hearing procedures and to practice answering the questions that are likely going to be asked.
As I noted this past November, I am starting to see more instances when a judge will want to change the "onset date" for my client's disability. What does this mean and should you be concerned?
More on What Does it Mean When a Judge Wants to Change Your Onset Date
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In previous posts, I have discussed at length what actually happens at a Social Security Disability hearing. However, I have failed to discuss the topic of video hearings (i.e. teleconference hearings via satellite), which are occurring more and more frequently these days as part of the SSA's overall plan to reduce
the Social Security Disability backlog. While most of you will experience a more traditional hearing in which you are actually in the room with the Judge and/or expert witnesses, some of you will undoubtedly experience the hearing in this alternative video conferencing type format, so it's a good idea to know what it's all about.
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You have received notice of your hearing date from the SSA. You are going through all the paperwork when you come across a piece of correspondence indicating that a vocational expert (VE) witness will be present at your hearing. 'What is a vocational expert witness?,' you may wonder. In case you have never heard of the VE, you have come to the right place. Below find everything you need to know about the vocational expert witness.
More on Vocational Expert FAQ: Everything you need to know about the VE
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This afternoon, I tried an SSDI case involving a 53 year old woman claiming disability based on diabetes and associated complications. In reviewing the record it appears to me that my client had been diabetic for several years prior to her diagnosis and has most likely suffered permanent vision and nerve damage. Unfortunately her medical care has been suboptimal and while she has been compliant with treatment the record does not contain enough for me to make an argument based on the listing at 9.08. Instead I went with a functional capacity argument.
More on Diabetes and Social Security Disability Case Study Posted
In a previous blog post, I set out several discussion points that I raise with my clients in our pre-hearing conferences. One of those discussion points has to do with "credibility" – are you a believable witness?
More on Your Credibility – A Key Factor in Winning Your Claim
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Hello and welcome to the 4th installment of my Q & A series, which is designed to cover some of the more elusive topics associated with the Social Security Disability claims process. In this post, I answer a question asked about the Medical Expert witness (ME).
More on Q & A: Who is responsible for calling upon and compensating the Medical Expert witness?
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I recently received a question from a woman named Carol who wants to know if she should wait to file for benefits because she is planning on moving to a different state. She writes:
More on Does It Matter Where I File My Application for Benefits if I Plan on Moving?
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When you appear before a Social Security judge for a hearing, there are four possible outcomes:
- you will be approved
- you will be denied
- your case will be continued to another date for a supplemental hearing
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As I have discussed extensively on this blog and on my web sites, the ultimate question in any Social Security disability case boils down to this – would you be able to perform reliably a simple, entry-level job 8 hours a day, 5 days a week?
More on The WRONG Answers to the Question: "Why Can't You Work"
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