How Can A Disability Representative Help Prepare For Your SSDI Hearing?
The most crucial thing to remember for your Social Security disability hearing is to testify truthfully. Don’t try to anticipate whether a question the judge asks you will help or hurt your case or why the judge is asking. Be honest about what tasks you can perform and what tasks you can’t. Giving the judge reason to suspect you are not being entirely truthful is the best way to lose your appeal. Don’t act or use theatrics during your hearing—don’t cry or pretend to be in more pain than you really are. However, don’t minimize your pain or silently endure it either. Ask the judge for permission to take a break if you need to, and stand up if you are uncomfortable sitting down for long periods of time.
Since this is your chance to let the judge know everything you want him to know about your condition and how it affects you, you will want to tell your whole story. Don’t think that just because this is a government hearing, you should give the minimum amount of information needed and not volunteer anything. To the contrary, since you are asking the government to do something for you, you need to provide enough information, details, and facts to clearly establish your disability to the judge. If you are asked what date something occurred, having the date would be useful, but it is understandable if you cannot recall the exact date. If you can only remember the approximate date or month, say so and give whatever information you can remember.
The judge will understand that you’re only human and do not have perfect recall of dates. You will be asked about several different subjects during your testimony. These include:
• Education
• Work history
• Medical history
• Symptoms of your condition
• Your best estimate of your work ability and limitations
• Your daily activities
A disability representative may be able to further advise you how best to act at your Social Security disability hearing. For a free evaluation of your claim, please contact GENEX Services today.