Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer

More Social Security Disability Tips

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

I go to a lot of Social Security Disability hearings representing people mainly in Illinois and this gives me a chance to see other people who are also there for a hearing. It always surprises me to see so many people who go in without a lawyer.

These people have no idea what is going to happen in the hearing and they are trusting that the Administrative Law Judge and vocational expert will look out for their best interests.

The Judge must tell the claimant at the beginning of the hearing that they are entitled to a lawyer to represent them, and if they proceed without a lawyer then the Judge will issue a binding decision.

You always have the right to appeal from the Judge’s decision, however the evidence you present at the hearing will limit your arguments on appeal.

I have seen some of the decisions Judge’s make when a person does not have a lawyer. Most Judge’s try to be fair, but they cannot see all the things that are in your favor and they are not as invested in your case as you are.

You also need to know what questions will be asked in the hearing and how to answer them properly in light of the Social Security rules.

You need to know what you have to prove to win your case.

It makes sense to have an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer help you because they can prepare you to do everything possible to present a strong case.

The lawyer will only get paid if you win and get paid back benefits. This means both you and the lawyer want to win.

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

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Social Security Disability

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

Earlier this year I posted a story regarding the Institute of Medicine’s report recommending that Chronic Fatigue be renamed to Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease or SEID.

I have had a number of clients who experience Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

These type of cases are difficult to win because there is no specific test for diagnosing Chronic Fatigue and some judges think people are faking their condition.

If you suffer from SEID you should ask your doctor to research the new report and ask your doctor to either write a letter or include in your treatment notes his opinion whether you meet the diagnostic criteria and whether he or she believes it will result in you missing more than 2 days of work per month and whether it will cause you to off task more than 20 percent of the day.

The diagnosis requires the patient to have a substantial reduction or impairment in the ability to engage in pre-illness levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities that persist for more than 6 months and is accompanied by fatigue, which is often profound, is not the result of ongoing excessive exertion, and is not substantially alleviated by rest, and experiences post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep. At least one of the two is also required: cognitive impairment or orthostatic intolerance.

The doctor’s opinion regarding absences and productivity is important because no employer will tolerate low productivity or poor attendance.

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

One of the Best Social Security Disability Tips

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

Applying for Social Security Disability is a very frustrating and time consuming process.

You do not feel very well, you are not able to work, and are usually concerned about whether you can survive emotionally, financially or physically.

Dealing with government is not easy in the best of times, but especially not when you are distracted and are full of pain.

The most important thing to remember when trying to get Social Security Disability is to never give up.

If you are denied after you apply, then you must appeal and make a reconsideration request.

If you are denied at the reconsideration stage, then you must appeal and request a hearing.

If you are denied by the Administrative Law Judge, then you must appeal to the Appeals Council or Re-apply.

There are a number of people who finally get approved during the second or third round of applying.

If they would have stopped applying after the initial denial and hearing, then they would have never received the disability benefits they worked for their entire life.

Social Security counts on a large number of people dropping out and not appealing or reapplying.

You must get someone to fight for you and not give up.

Need help getting your disability benefits? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

U.S. Sued for Seizure of Tax Refunds to Settle Old Social Security Overpayments

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

U.S. Sued for Seizure of Tax Refunds to Settle Old Social Security Overpayments.

Click above to read.

I have seen a few of these overpayment situations involving older cases. Sounds fishy that the government would go back a number of years and not be able to produce the paperwork supporting its claim.

Cancer and Social Security Disability

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

Social Security does not automatically approve you for disability even if you suffer from cancer.

You still must prove that you are unable to work a full time job in order to be found disabled.

The process for obtaining Social Security Disability is the same whether you have cancer or any other disease.

The first step is to apply for benefits.

You cannot get disability until you apply.

Social Security wants you to apply for benefits on their website.

The second step is to have Social Security review your medical records.

When you have cancer this includes your cancer treatment doctor’s records.

Social Security will look at the stage of your cancer and the treatments you are required to undergo.

It will also be important for your doctor to explain how your treatments effect your energy level, whether it causes nausea, and other side effects.

The doctor should also provide information regarding your prognosis and the extent and nature of treatment you will need in the future.

It will be difficult for you to work if you be sick more than 1 day per month, or will be off task more than 20 percent of the work day.

Your doctor will help you immensely if she can explain why you will be absent from work due to the cancer treatment, or why you will not be able to focus consistently throughout the work day.

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