Applying for Social Security Disability involves filling out a number of forms, both paper and online.
It also involves talking with Social Security employees who take notes and put them in your file.
The Social Security Judges will often look at these notes and reports and use them in making a decision in your case.
You may not understand why your answers are important or what the Judge is looking for, but your responses are very important.
The most important questions focus on the type of job you had and what you did at work all day long, and how your conditions limit your activities.
Make sure that you are very clear about what you did at work in the last 15 years.
You must make sure that Social Security understands if your work involved lifting throughout the day, or if it involved standing and walking most of the day, or if you were required to use your hands all day long.
If someone calls you from Social Security and asks about your work activities you should offer to provide them a written job description that you prepare. This makes sure that there is no misunderstanding.
Do not complete the written questions from Social Security until an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer has had a chance to review them with you.
I have seen Social Security employee notes and activities of daily living reports that are very damaging to a Claimant because of some misunderstanding about what Social Security is asking.
Questions about your disability claim? Feel free to call to Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.