Social Security Disability- Good Ideas

As mentioned here before, Social Security is making it harder and harder to win your disability case.

One way to improve your chances of winning is to make sure that you go to your doctor approximately every three months.

When you go to the doctor’s office make sure that you explain the problems you are having.

For instance, the numbness and pain in my hands is there almost all of the time.

Make sure that you explain to the doctor how it effects your daily activities.

Such as, the numbness and pain in my hands makes it hard to button my shirts and tie my shoes. It causes me to drop plates and glasses. I can only use the computer keyboard for 5 minutes or so.

Tell the doctor every time you go.

The purpose is to make sure that it shows up in the medical records.

What is contained in your medical records is very important to the Administrative Law Judge and if it matches up with your testimony it can make for a very strong and persuasive case.

Some Judges want to see your complaints repeated in the records and hear you testify at the hearing regarding your limitations.

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

Arthritis and Social Security Disability- Tips

There is no question that is becoming much harder to win your Social Security Disability case.

You must make sure that you do everything you can to present a strong case to the Administrative Law Judge.

Arthritis is devastating disease that severely limits your ability to function.

However, it is not enough to just testify that you have problems using your hands, or that you cannot stand or walk long periods because of your arthritis.

You have to approach your case from several different levels.

Make sure that you have witnesses who will write strong letters explaining what they notice about your ability to handle, finger and feel items, and what they observe regarding specific times for standing, walking and lifting. What do they notice about your need to elevate your feet and legs?

Make sure you have xrays or mri’s of your hands, knees, feet, back or hips.

Make sure that your doctor conducts a thorough exam of your hands, knees, feet, back, or hips.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about your limitations regarding walking, standing, and lifting.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about your symptoms such as swelling, pain, and inflammation.

If appropriate, ask your doctor if they will prescribe a brace, cane or walker to assist you with walking and standing.

Everything counts so do not forget to cover all the bases.

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

Hand Injuries and Social Security Disability

Injuries and problems with your hands severely limit your ability to perform many jobs.

Social Security Vocational consultants will testify that are only very few sit down jobs that will allow you to work with only occasional use of your hands for handling and fingering. There may be a few more jobs in the light category that require only occasional handling and fingering.

This is important in Social Security Disability cases because if you can prove that you are limited to occasional handling and fingering and there are no jobs or very limited jobs available, then you will be found disabled.

The important aspect of these cases is being able to prove you are severely restricted in the use of your hands.

It helps to have xrays of your hands showing advanced arthritis.

It also helps to have an EMG/NCV test showing severe neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome that is not operable.

Any type of diagnostic testing that explains why your hands are burning, numb, tingling, or crippled will help you.

Sometimes you can get functional testing of your hands to detail the limits of grasping, handling and fingering.

Your doctor may also examine your hands and describe their findings and come up with her opinion regarding your limitations.

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.

Social Security Disability- Behind the Scenes

This is a composite of different discussions and experiences I have had with Social Security staff, attorneys and people who have had sought disability.

This fictional interview takes poetic license to give you an idea of what happens at a Social Security Disability hearing site.

What is your job?

I give the claimants the computer disc with their disability information just before the hearing, and get their paperwork completed.
I also help the Judge gather the information for the hearing and do whatever else the Judge may need to help the hearing run smoothly.

How many claimants would estimate show up without a lawyer?

I would guess about 35 percent of the people do not have a lawyer.

What do you notice about claimants who do not have a lawyer?

They really do not understand what is going to happen at the hearing. I have to walk them through the paperwork and how to open the electronic file.
And they do not know what is going to happen in the hearing.

What have you seen in the hearing?

The people without a lawyer do not know how to explain to the Judge why they are disabled under our rules.
They have no idea how to respond to the vocational expert when they testify the person can do a job.

Why do you think some people go into something so important as a Social Security Disability hearing without a lawyer?

They think that they have to pay a lot of money to get a lawyer to represent them.
They do not understand that the lawyers only get paid if they win, and the government limits how much the lawyer charges.

Make sure that you are well prepared for your Social Security Disability case. Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Make Sure You Get the Help You Need from Your Lawyer

Social Security Disability is hard to get so make sure your lawyer is helping you as much as possible.

If you need your lawyer to come see you in the hospital or at your home make sure that you ask the lawyer.

Your lawyer should help you file your application online. You want to have all the advice and input necessary before you provide any information to Social Security.

When you get any paperwork from Social Security make sure you call your attorney. Completing forms regarding your past relevant work and your daily activities are very important. You should go over all answers with your lawyer before submitting it to Social Security.

If you are denied make sure you call your lawyer right away, and go over the appeal information together and have your lawyer submit it to Social Security.

Once you reach the hearing stage you should go over and update all medical information with your lawyer several months before the hearing.

Getting ready for the hearing and discussing the questions that will be asked at the hearing is crucial.

Only an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can prepare you for the questions the Judge will ask at the hearing, and explain what you need to prove to win your case.

Finally, if you need a ride to get to the hearing then your attorney should be able to help if you cannot get there with family or friends.

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