If you were injured in an accident or became too ill to continue working, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. While some claims are approved, others might have more difficulty in getting the benefits they need. We may arrange for a hearing on the matter to convince an administrative law judge that you are legally entitled to SSDI benefits.
To get ready for a Social Security disability hearing, we must first understand the specific nature of your claim and why it was denied. We must gather evidence that addresses these issues directly to convince a judge that you are entitled to benefits. We may also want to prepare medical evaluations to establish that you are indeed medically disabled and cannot work. The hearing itself may be somewhat informal, but we will be given the chance to present our case and evidence supporting your claim for benefits. Your attorney can help you prepare and make sure your case is as strong as possible.
Get a free review of your case from our Arkansas disability benefits lawyers by calling our attorneys at (479) 316-0438.
How to Get Ready for Your Social Security Disability Hearing
If you have a hearing scheduled to determine disability benefits, you should hire an attorney to represent you if you have not done so already. Your lawyer should help you prepare for the hearing so that you get the benefits you need and are entitled to.
Understanding Your Claims
First, your attorney should help you understand the nature of your claim. We must show much more than the fact that you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to work. We must provide specific details about your conditions and how they make working too difficult or impossible. We must also show how you cannot find new work.
Our Arkansas disability benefits attorneys should also help you understand why your claim was denied and why the hearing is necessary. The hearing is not for rehashing the information and evidence you already submitted in your initial claim. We must directly address specific concerns that prevent your claim from being approved.
Preparing Evidence
You should also prepare for your disability hearing by gathering evidence to prove your claims. This may involve evidence you have already collected and submitted as part of your claim and additional information that addresses specific concerns preventing your claim from being approved.
Evidence may include medical records, information about your employment history, and your efforts in finding a new job. The evidence should show that your condition qualifies as a disability, you cannot do your job because of it, and you cannot find a new job that you can perform with your medical condition.
Medical Evaluations
A major component of your SSDI application is medical information. Official hospital records, written statements from doctors, and details about how your condition arose may all be necessary. In some cases, the SSA is still doubtful of your condition, and we may need something more to convince them.
For example, suppose the Social Security Administration (SSA) has doubts about the severity of your medical condition. In that case, we may have you evaluated by doctors who can provide written statements about your condition.
What Happens During a Social Security Disability Hearing in Arkansas?
Not every SSDI case will result in a hearing. For some, their initial applications are approved, and there is no need for a hearing. For others, claims might be denied at first, and a hearing can be arranged to address certain concerns about the case.
The hearing is somewhat informal and is led by an administrative law judge. The judge should explain why your application for SSDI benefits was denied and any issues with your case. The judge can also ask other witnesses to attend the hearing to provide more information.
You and your attorney may present your own evidence and information regarding the issues explained by the judge. The judge does not make a decision until after the hearing is over. You should receive a formal letter in the mail explaining the decisions and whether your claim is still denied or if you are approved for benefits.
How Your Attorney Can Help You Prepare for an SSDI Hearing
Your attorney should be able to assist you in preparing for your hearing. If you do not have a lawyer yet, you should find one who can help you as soon as possible.
As mentioned, obtaining medical records is important for an SSDI hearing, but it is not a simple task to complete. Depending on your condition and how long you have been receiving treatment, your records might be quite voluminous. As such, we may need time to gather them all. Not only that, but the hospital may need to contact multiple doctors to get all your records. Our lawyers can communicate with your doctors to make sure we have everything.
We can present witnesses and written statements during the hearing, and our lawyers can interview witnesses and other people close to the case. These statements can sometimes sway the judge to your side and convince them that you qualify for benefits.
Your attorney may also assist in coordinating the scheduling of the hearing. If you need to reschedule the hearing for some reason or move the date up sooner, your lawyer can try to help you.
How to Make Your SSDI Case as Strong as Possible Before Your Hearing
To make your claim as strong as possible, we must address very specific issues that the judge should explain. Additionally, if you received a denial letter, it should contain specific details about why your claim was denied. These are the things we must address at your hearing.
We can gather information or evidence you might not have presented in your initial claim. Clearly, what you submitted initially was not enough to get you approved for SSDI benefits. So, we need something more. This might be something like records regarding your work or employment, or additional medical information from your doctor or other medical experts.
The judge is not interested in hearing evidence and information that they have already seen. A strong case will be specifically tailored to the weaknesses or flaws in your claim that are preventing it from being approved.
Contact Our Arkansas Disability Benefits Attorneys for Assistance
Get a free review of your case from our Washington County, AR disability benefits lawyers by calling our attorneys at (479) 316-0438.