A disability hearing can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it is often a necessary step on the road to receiving benefits. It is your opportunity to be heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). This blog is a resource to help you be proactive in your preparation.
Know Your Disability Hearing Claim!
Approval of your claim rides on the ALJ and his/her questions regarding your disability. Even though you know how your disability affects your day-to-day life, it’s important to have an idea of the big picture. Being able to explain a clear timeline of employment and medical history will set you up for a better chance of success. Conducting mock interviews with someone you trust can help you feel more comfortable explaining your condition and your appeal.
What the ALJ will focus on:
- Your condition and the severity of it
- Your medical and work history
- Your residual function capacity, or what you might be able to do now.
Document Your Condition for your Disability Hearing
A statement from a medical professional is helpful to your claim. Please let your representative know if he or she should reach out to your physician for a detailed summary of your condition. You may need a “residual function capacity” (RFC) form, detailing your remaining ability to work prior to your hearing. If you develop any new symptoms or if your condition worsens while waiting for an appeal date, please let your representative know about those updates.
In addition to a physician statement, we recommend reaching out to people in your life who have watched your struggles and are willing to attest to them. Friends and family are qualified to provide statements supporting your claim.
Seek Help With Your Case!
This process is not something you have to do alone. Having a strong support system of friends, family, and/or an attorney representative is something we strongly recommend. Getting a lawyer to assist you with your disability claim may seem costly and unnecessary, but in reality, it is a helpful aspect of getting your application approved. Studies have shown that applicants who are assisted by a lawyer are 3x more likely to have their disability claim accepted. Applying for disability requires organization, knowledge in the area, and an extensive amount of time. A strong network of support can only help.
Our legal team is equipped with team members who specialize in different types of disability claims and can help you with any step along the way. If you would like more information on how to navigate the disability claims process contact us today at (816) 844-3401 or email us at info@burnettdriskill.com. For a free case consultation fill out our online form.