Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney

Another Reason to See A Social Security Disability Lawyer Right Away

Dirk May Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

There a number of reasons to see a Social Security Disability Lawyer immediately to help you with your case.

This post will address questions Social Security asks you at the beginning of your case.

Recently, I came across a case where the applicant did not answer the questions completely and accurately.
This raised serious problems during her hearing before the Administrative Law Judge.

Anything you do whether it be answers to online Social Security forms, telephone interviews with Social Security personnel, completing forms Social Security mails to you, can and will often be used to question you at your disability hearing.

You must answer these questions accurately, truthfully, and with Social Security rules in mind.

You may think your answers are not important, but they can make the difference between winning and losing your case.

Social Security rules are specific and complicated at times.

Past relevant work, which is work within the last 15 years, may be very important to the outcome of your case. Daily activities may be very important to your case.

You should speak with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney before you file your application to make sure that you do not make any mistakes that may damage your case.

The advantage of using a lawyer is that you do not have to pay them unless you win and the attorney fees are limited by Federal law to 25 percent of back benefits or $6000, whichever amount is lower.

It does not make sense to represent yourself is such an important matter as Social Security Disability.

Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

It is difficult to win Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases under Social Security Disability rules.

I believe it is because that there is no specific explanation or reason for Chronic Fatigue and no test that defines it, and this creates suspicion among Social Security employees.

Symptoms may include fatigue, loss of memory, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle or joint pain, unrefreshing sleep, headaches, extreme exhaustion after activity.

Causes are thought to include viral infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalance problems.

The medical testing will be conducted to rule out other diagnoses.

Treatment may include medications that address depression and better sleep, and physical therapy and mental health counseling.

In order to convince Social Security that you are disabled you will need to have a doctor who is willing to document all the tests and exams that she used to confirm her diagnosis.

Your doctor will also have to explain the severity of your condition including how much time during the day you will be able to stay on task for your daily activities.

You should keep a diary explaining how you Chronic Fatigue affects you each day.

If you can find a specialist in Chronic Fatigue or a clinic who does research regarding Chronic Fatigue so much the better.

The idea is to support your testimony and take Chronic Fatigue out of the category of a condition that is not supported scientifically or is a condition that is used by someone who does not want to work. Some Social Security Disability Judges think this way so you must address it head on.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Is It Too Late to Get a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

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It is always a good idea to get your attorney involved in the Social Security Disability application process as soon as possible.

This gives you an idea of what Social Security is looking for, and what you will need to do to win your case.

However, there is not a point when using a lawyer is no longer helpful.

For instance, if you are denied you can hire a lawyer to help you appeal.

Even at the hearing the Administrative Law Judge is supposed to ask you if you want a lawyer.

If you tell the Judge “Yes”, then the Judge will stop the hearing and reschedule it to allow you to get a lawyer.

Some people get a lawyer after they have been denied at the hearing, in order to appeal to the Appeals Council.

This makes it difficult to find a lawyer because all the evidence has been entered and you are limited in what you can do and argue as a result.

The ideal situation is to go to an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer and get immediate assistance with filing your application, completing the questionnaires from Social Security, appealing promptly, and preparing for the hearing questions. This gives you the best shot at winning.

There are no attorney fees unless you win and you have back benefits awarded so this makes it much easier to get a lawyer to help you.

Questions about Social Security Disability? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Stories, Word Pictures and Your Social Security Disability Case

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

You should do anything legitimate you can to help your Social Security Disability case.

Because it is very tough to win these days.

Disability Judges work under heightened scrutiny and there are large number of cases coming before them.

You must stand out in some way.

Remember, Judges are human.

Making your situation pop, believable, understandable and deserving of compassion is vital.

Beyond making sure that you tell your doctor your major problems and limitations, you must tell a good story at the hearing.

Stories have stood out over the centuries. Great truths are wrapped in the stories that Homer, Jesus, and Shakespeare told and stick in our minds.

It is not enough to explain that you have chest pain. It is more memorable to testify that when you start cleaning the kitchen you have to rest after a couple minutes because of chest pain.

It is not enough to testify that you cannot stand or walk for very long. You should be able to tell the Judge that after you walk around the block your arthritis kicks in with shooting pain and you need to sit down and rest for 10 to 20 minutes.

Judges often equate daily activities with being able to work full time.

You must paint the picture of your day and how you are off task for over 20 percent of the day due to pain and why you need to miss more than 2 days per month.

It is important to do more than show up for your hearing.

Questions about the best way to tell your story? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Top Tips for Social Security Disability

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Social Security Disability cases are getting harder and harder to win.

Because of this you must do everything possible to make sure that your case is as strong as it can be.

The key to almost any Social Security Disability case is your medical treatment and medical records.

You must prove that you have limitations that keep you from working any job in most cases, and when you are over age 50 you have to prove you cannot do past work and are limited to at best to a sit down job.

As a result, it is very important that you tell your doctors about your serious problems and how they limit you around the house because you want this to show up in your medical records when the Administrative Law Judge reviews them.

For instance, you should explain any problems you have with walking, standing, lifting and sitting. Such as, I can only walk 1 block because of the arthritis in my legs.

Other areas to focus on are the need to elevate your legs because of swelling and pain. Problems with focus and concentration because of chronic pain or depression. Problems reaching, handling, fingering and gripping because of numbness, tingling, pain in the hands or arms.

Information like this in your medical records supports your testimony at the disability hearing and is crucial to winning your case.

Question about your case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.