Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer

Behind Closed Doors at Social Security in Illinois

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

What happens when you file a Social Security disability application?

In many ways it is a mystery what Social Security does and what they look for, but what goes on can be fleshed out a little.

Once you file your application online or at a local Social Security office it is sent on the Springfield, Illinois or Chicago, Illinois for the Division of Disability Services or DDS to review.

At the initial stage there is a person at DDS who orders the medical records and sends out questions to the applicant.

Once the questionnaires and medical records come back the person in charge of your file will review the medical records and answers to the questions you supply and make a determination if you fit within the guidelines for disability.

DDS will also have medical personnel review your case to determine your level of functioning. Such as, are you limited to a sit down job or can you lift 20 pounds or more and can you stand and walk 6 out of 8 hours of the day.

Sometimes DDS will send you to a doctor to examine you.

The doctor will also try to determine your limitations.

In it is most simple form if DDS thinks you are able to work within its guidelines, then it will deny your claim.

You must then file an appeal to move forward with your case. When you appeal DDS will have a new person review your case. This includes ordering updated medical records. The new adjudicator in charge of your case will review your records and make a decision about whether you are able to work.

If you are denied again, then you must request a hearing.

At the hearing level, this is your first chance to see the person who will make a decision in your case face-to-face.

At the earlier levels of review the people at Social Security are only looking at paper work.

This is important to remember because it shows the importance of telling your doctor about your limitations and problems.

If you do not tell your doctor, then Social Security’s reviewers will never know what is happening.

You must also fill out the questionnaires properly. If not then there is the chance the reviewer will mistakenly believe you can function at a higher level than you really are able to.

You must keep in mind what the people at Social Security are really looking for when they review your claim.

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

Should You File 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

People wonder when they should file for Social Security Disability or if they should file at all.

First of all you should make sure that you are eligible for Social Security Disability.

If you have not paid Social Security taxes, then you cannot be paid disability benefits.

This may have happened if you were out of the work force in the last 10 years as a stay at home mom or dad, or if you were self-employed and did not pay Social Security taxes, or if you were a teacher or university professor who did not pay into the Social Security system.

If you have any questions you should contact your local Social Security office and ask them if you are eligible for disability benefits based on your work record.

Some people may be able to file for SSI if they cannot get the regular Social Security Disability benefits. SSI depends on household income and assets. You should contact an experienced Social Security lawyer to discuss your options.

If you are eligible and cannot work, then you should file your application as soon as possible. The reason is that it can take a long time to examine your medical records and decide your case. In central Illinois it is taking up to 2 years from application to hearing. In addition, you may lose benefits if you wait too long to file. Back benefits will only be paid 12 months before your application date.

If you think you can only work part-time, then you should file. Social Security allows you to earn less than $1,000 gross per month and still file for benefits.

If you have alcohol or drug abuse problems do not file. Social Security will deny you if you have substance abuse issues. Make sure you get treatment through a substance abuse center or through AA or NA, and then file your application.

If you have not been seeing a doctor for your problems do not file. Social Security disability is all about your medical treatment and records. It is a waste of your time to file for disability and not have medical treatment. Make sure you see your doctors and explain all your problems and how they limit and restrict you and then file your disability application.

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

Multiple Sclerosis 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

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating disease.

It certainly may be the basis of a disability finding in a Social Security case.

The key is the severity of your condition.

For instance, someone with a mild case of multiple sclerosis may be able to continue to work full time.

However, if your multiple sclerosis worsens and limits important activities then you may be found disabled.

Symptoms may include cognitive impairment, tremors, fatigue, pain, vision problems, and numbness and weakness.

The combination of symptoms is important because they affect major job requirements.

Cognitive impairments may knock you out of skilled level work, or prevent you from being able to concentrate and focus enough to perform even simple work.

Uncontrolled tremors may prevent you from being able to walk or stand for extended periods and interfere with reaching, handling and fingering.

Numbness and weakness also limits lifting, standing, and walking.

Vision problems may prohibit you from doing certain close work involving computers or small parts.

Fatigue and pain may cause you to miss an excessive number of work days.

To persuade Social Security that you are disabled you will need to see a neurologist and have appropriate testing.

In addition, make sure you explain your symptoms and limitations and any side-effects from your medications in detail to your doctor.

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

Social Security Disability Hearing Tips

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Your Social Security Disability hearing is the chance to explain to the Judge what it is like to live with your conditions, illnesses and diseases.

Remember this is the person who will decide whether or not you are disabled.

The Judge will ask about your ability to perform household chores.

The Hearing is the opportunity to explain your limitations when you try to do laundry, cleaning, cooking and shopping.

It is the time to explain problems with pain, concentration, focus.

It is the chance to describe restrictions with sitting, standing, lifting, walking, reaching, gripping, and fingering.

It is not the time to pretend that you are fine and are not really experiencing any problems with daily living.

It is not the time to pretend that you may able to do some type of job if you try hard enough.

It is not the time to act strong and neglect to tell the Judge about your ongoing pain.

Sometimes the Judge will ask you if you could do your former work. If you tell him that you may be able to keep doing it, then the Judge will deny your case because Social Security rules provide that if you can do past relevant work you are not disabled.

The Social Security hearing is very important and can make a big difference in whether you win.

Going to see your doctor and explaining your problems and limitations is also a big part of your case.

However, do not miss the opportunity to look the Judge in the eye and paint the picture of what is like to live in your body for a day.

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

Mental Illness and Social Security Disability

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

Mental conditions in combination with physical problems may lead to a finding of disability.

Mental conditions alone may also lead to a finding of disability.

These conditions range from intellectual deficits to bipolar syndrome, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic behavior.

It is virtually impossible to win a Social Security Disability mental illness case without treatment from a psychiatrist or mental health therapist.

This is because Social Security Judges usually do not give much weight to mental health treatment from a primary care physician.

The standard you must meet to prove you are disabled is that you are unable to work any job, including unskilled work. This may include jobs such as cleaning offices at night away from the public and with little contact with co-workers and supervisors.

The key is that if you miss more than one day per month, then no employer will keep you on.

If you will be off task more than 20 percent of the day, then you not be able to retain a job.

Most of the time a serious mental illness will result in excessive absences and loss of concentration and focus.

Other signs of serious mental illness are multiple hospitalizations, strong anti-psychotic medications, or shock therapy.

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